Nocturne may date from the mid-late 1870s, as do most of Whistler's nocturnes, but the sole reference to it is when it was exhibited at the International Exhibition, Edinburgh, 1886 (cat. no. 1399). 1
Nocturne: Black and Gold – The Fire Wheel, Tate Britain
Nocturne in Black and Gold: The Falling Rocket, Detroit Institute of Arts
It is possible that it was either Nocturne: Black and Gold - The Fire Wheel y169 or Nocturne in Black and Gold: The Falling Rocket y170.
Nocturne, Whereabouts unknown
Nocturne: Black and Gold – The Fire Wheel, Tate Britain
Nocturne in Black and Gold: The Falling Rocket, Detroit Institute of Arts
Only one title has been suggested:
A night scene.
Unknown.
Unknown.
Unknown.
Unknown.
Unknown.
Whistler lent two paintings to Edinburgh in 1886 (Arrangement in Black and Brown: The Fur Jacket y181, Arrangement in Yellow and Grey: Effie Deans y183) which had been deposited with the London dealers, H. Graves & Co., as security for money lent him. This Nocturne may also have been borrowed for the occasion from Graves and should perhaps be identified with either Nocturne: Black and Gold - The Fire Wheel y169 or Nocturne in Black and Gold: The Falling Rocket y170.
It was hung too high to make out details, according to a review of the show, 'The Edinburgh International Pictures', Glasgow Herald, 16 August 1886, p. 8
1: YMSM 1980 [more] (cat. no. 171).
2: International Exhibition, Edinburgh, 1886 (cat. no. 1399).
3: YMSM 1980 [more] (cat. no. 171).