According to E. B. Haskell (quoted by Cary), Sketch of a Girl was painted in Venice 1879/1880, and given by Whistler in Venice to the landscape painter William Graham (1841-1910). A note on the back reads 'Sketch from a Model in Venice painted by J. McNeil [sic] Whistler about 1882 - Wm Graham'. 1

Although William Graham was acquainted with Whistler in Venice 1879/1880, there is no mention of such a painting in his correspondence with Whistler, although Whistler did ask Graham to take care of 'these odd canvases' when he left Venice. 2

Sketch of a Girl, Private collection, photograph 1974

Technically, with areas of thick impasto, it is not consistent with Whistler's work at that time. 3 Indeed it is not at all consistent with his work at any time.