Wait Until Dark

Generally understood as simply a night scene, the term nocturne refers to the quality of light in a painting, and can be twilight, waxing or waning light, or the darkness of night. Nocturne speaks as much to the mood of a painting as it does the quality of light. Artists use this to create narratives and convey a mood that can be dreamy, ethereal, menacing, meditative, brooding, or poetic. This exhibition is drawn from the museum’s extensive collection of nocturnes, including painting, prints, and photographs.

Night skies are one of the amazing natural beauties of New Mexico, which is home to five Gold and Silver-Tier Dark Sky Parks, as certified by the International Dark Sky Association. Wait Until Dark and Shots in the Dark are companion exhibitions and will be complemented by the Night Life Imagination Station where visitors of all ages are able to explore the themes of the night and delve deeper into the subject through a range of creative activities.