Like many of his painting titles incorporating the words "harmony" or "symphony," Whistler's title here is intended to evoke a certain mood or atmosphere. The great expanse of sky and water, enhanced by careful manipulation of the printing ink, seem as much the subject as San Giorgio Maggiore on the right and the dome of Santa Maria della Salute on the left (reversed in the printing after being drawn directly from nature). Nocturne is one from a series of twelve etchings by Whistler known as the First Venice Set. The Fine Arts Society, London, rescued Whistler from personal backruptcy when they commissioned him to travel to Venice and produce this set during 1879 and 1880. Other examples from this and the subsequent Second Venice Set are represented here by Lots 194, 195, 196, 197, 198, 199, 200, 201, 202, 203, 204 and 206.

The large, shaded butterfly signature on the impression here was used by Whistler before 1883. By February of that year he had printed only two dozen proofs of Nocturne. The black ink is also typical of his earlier impressions.