Provenance

• 1902: commissioned by Charles Lang Freer (1856-1919), Detroit;
• 1903: in Whistler's studio at his death, and bequeathed to his executrix, Rosalind Birnie Philip (1873-1958), London;
• 1903: sold by Miss Birnie Philip to C. L. Freer on 1 July 1903 for £500;
• 1919: bequeathed by C. L. Freer to the Freer Gallery of Art.

Whistler noted that 'Portrait of Mr Freer' was in progress, but not paid for, in 1902. 1

Exhibitions

It was not exhibited in Whistler's lifetime.

By the terms of C. L. Freer's bequest to the Freer Gallery of Art, the painting cannot be lent.