The Scarf probably dates from 1865. It was exhibited at the 97th Exhibition of the Royal Academy of Arts, London, 1865 (cat. no. 569) as 'The Scarf'.

It was undergoing restoration or framing by early 1881. On 28 August 1881 Whistler wrote to ask Charles Augustus Howell (1840?-1890) to retrieve from 'the Studio of the late Signor Pinte ... a small destroyed panel (my work) left there some time since by me. This picture representing a girl in Japanese dress, known in Academy catalogue as the scarf, belongs to one of my clients.' 1 The 'late Signor Pinte' was probably Raffaelle Pinti (1826-1881), painter and restorer, who died in London on 30 July 1881.