Nocturnal – New York 1940

Carlos Botelho painted ‘Nocturnal - New York’ capturing a night scene in New York City. The artwork provides a glimpse into Botelho’s experience as a Portuguese artist navigating the urban landscape of the United States. Botelho’s nocturnal scene is rendered in tones of blue, a choice which envelops the city in a blanket of quietude. The artist’s gaze highlights the city’s architecture, drawing our attention to the imposing structures of the buildings and the puffs of smoke and steam rising above them. Look at how he captures the anonymity that the city can evoke at night. It's interesting to consider what this scene might have represented for Botelho, an outsider. The city can be a symbol of progress and modernity, but also of alienation. The artist's choice of color and perspective invites us to reflect on our own relationship with urban spaces and our place within them.