Nocturne: Bleu et or is assumed to date from between 1871 and 1879, when most of Whistler's Nocturnes were painted. 1 It was supposed to be exhibited in the Exposition Nationale des Beaux-Arts, 7th exhibition, Société Nationale des Beaux-Arts, Champs de Mars, Paris, 1897 (cat. no. 1259), together with Rose and Brown: The Philosopher [YMSM 472] and Green and Gold: A Shop in Calais [YMSM 474]. However, as Le Figaro reported, at the last minute Whistler decided not to send any works to the show. 2