A Nocturne in Blue and Silver, probably dating from between 1871 and 1879, may have been exhibited at the International and Universal Exhibition, Crystal Palace, London, 1884. 1

A surprising number of Whistler's nocturnes dating from between 1871 and 1879, several of which could have been described as 'nocturne in blue and silver' (although their titles varied over time), could have been available for exhibition in 1884. Whistler owned some outright, or had deposited them as security for loans. Some were owned by tolerant collectors, and some have simply not been identified. Those possibly available include: Nocturne: Blue and Silver - Bognor [YMSM 100], Nocturne: Blue and Silver - Chelsea [YMSM 103], Nocturne: Blue and Silver - Cremorne Lights [YMSM 115], Nocturne: Blue and Gold - Southampton Water [YMSM 117], Nocturne in Blue and Silver [YMSM 118], Nocturne: Blue and Silver - Battersea Reach [YMSM 119], Nocturne: Battersea [YMSM 120], Nocturne in Blue and Silver [YMSM 151], and Nocturne: Blue and Silver - Battersea Reach [YMSM 152].

Of these, several – Nocturne: Blue and Silver - Chelsea [YMSM 103], Nocturne: Blue and Gold - Southampton Water [YMSM 117], Nocturne in Blue and Silver [YMSM 151] – had been on exhibition at the Exposition Internationale de Peinture, Galerie George Petit, Paris, 1883, which suggests they were readily available.