Nocturne in Blue and Silver, The Lagoon, Venice 1880

James Abbott McNeill Whistler created *Nocturne in Blue and Silver, The Lagoon, Venice* with oil on canvas during a period when Venice was seen by many as a place of beauty. But it was also a city with stark divisions of wealth and labor. In this series Whistler turned away from detailed realism, instead, he captured the city’s atmosphere, embracing a style that was as radical as it was debated. He portrays Venice through a misty veil, and the painting reduces the city to its basic elements. The darkness and ambiguity might evoke feelings of loneliness or introspection, echoing the experiences of marginalized groups whose stories are often unseen in idealized depictions of Venice. Whistler captures an atmospheric moment, that invites us to reflect on what remains hidden, and unseen. Ultimately, *Nocturne* is a painting that asks us to see beyond the surface, prompting us to consider the unseen histories and the complex layers of human experience within a celebrated landscape.