Wait Until Dark

Generally understood as simply a night scene, the term nocturne refers to the quality of light in a painting, and can be twilight, waxing or waning light, or the darkness of night. Nocturne speaks as much to the mood of a painting as it does the quality of light. Artists use this to create narratives and convey a mood that can be dreamy, ethereal, menacing, meditative, brooding, or poetic. This exhibition is drawn from the museum’s extensive collection of nocturnes, including painting, prints, and photographs.