Nocturne in Grey and Gold dates from the 1870s, possibly between 1872 and 1878. 1 It is assumed to date from between 1871 and 1878, when most of Whistler's Nocturnes were painted.

On 5 November 1878 Whistler asked Algernon Graves (1845-1922) to send a 'Nocturne in Grey and Gold' from their galleries to Lucas (Luke) Alexander Ionides (1837-1924), and this picture was 'received and sold' by Charles Augustus Howell (1840?-1890). 2