Provenance

• Before 1938: possibly owned by Albert E. Ottinger (1878-1938) of New York;
• 1938: after his death, possibly sold with four other drawings at auction, Christie's, London, 16 December 1938 (lot 152) as 'Studies of Heads' and bought by 'Waters'.
• 1950: sold with three other drawings at auction, Christie's, London, 21 April 1950 (lot 140) and bought by 'Yonge'.

The early provenance is unknown. See Sketches of three heads [M.0654], which may share a similar provenance.

Exhibitions

It was not exhibited in Whistler's lifetime.