Nocturne Furnace c. 1880

"Nocturne Furnace" (c. 1880) is an etching by the American artist James Abbott McNeill Whistler. The work is a fine example of Whistler's fascination with nocturnal scenes and atmospheric effects, showcasing his artistic mastery in capturing the soft and hazy glow of artificial light in the darkness. Whistler’s "Nocturnes" series, using the soft, muted palette and tonal harmonies of the etching, captures the subtle light and dark patterns and visual relationships within a specific setting, often a night scene, as in this example. The etching is notable for its blurred and impressionistic style, a precursor to the Impressionist movement, using loose lines and subtle tonal variations to convey a sense of mystery and mood.