The Nocturnes series was created in 1988/89 and is based on Frédéric Chopin's compositions of the same name. Ellen Banks translated the musical structures into 19 abstract acrylic paintings in which dark backgrounds reflect the nocturnal mood of the music. Metallic color accents and rhythmically arranged areas of color refer to the moon, stars, and urban lighting situations. The series marks a central point in Banks' exploration of music as a pictorial structure. 

A particularly significant discovery in the estate was a 16mm film roll in its original packaging with a handwritten dedication from director Arlene Garfield to Ellen Banks. The roll contains a short documentary film from 1988 that accompanies the creation of the Nocturnes series and offers valuable insights into Banks' artistic process.