Provenance

• 1885: bought, possibly from Whistler, by Jacques Émile Blanche (1861-1942), in Dieppe.
• 1919: bought from Alphonse Kann (1870-1948), Paris dealer, by Agnew's, London dealers, on 21 October 1919 (a/c # 5630);
• 1919: sold by Agnew's to James P. Labey, New York art dealer, 22 October 1919;
• 1920: bought back from Labey on 16 February 1920 by Agnew's and sold to the John Levy galleries, New York, 7 April 1920 (a/c #5722);
• 1920: bought by Cincinnati Art Museum, 20 April 1920, for $7500 (John J. Emory Fund).

According to the artist Jacques Émile Blanche, he bought a portrait of Olga Alberta Caracciolo (1871–1930/1931) from Whistler in Dieppe in 1885. 1 It is not known when it was sold by Blanche. A label on the verso appears to state that the painting was once in the collection of 'J. Emery'. However, it is possible that this actually refers to the John J. Emory Fund, which provided the funds for the purchase by Cincinnati Art Museum. The Museum records state that the painting was bought direct from James P. Labey, but, according to the records of Messrs Agnew, other art dealers acted as intermediaries.

Exhibitions

• Unknown.

It is very likely that it was shown at one of the Dowdeswell exhibitions, in 1884 or 1886, but the title has not been identified. The little painting is very striking and one might have expected it to be mentioned in reviews, but so far none have been located.