Portrait of Miss Nora McNay may have dated from 1885 or 1886. 1

On 20 February 1886, shortly after Nora McNay's death, Whistler planned to visit Mrs McNay at her house at Norwood, and wrote 'how sad we all have been about dear little Nora ... Maud and I have looked up the tiny sketch of Nora - and I will do what I can - but I fear very much that you could find nothing of the pretty child, I wanted to paint, in it - however we will try.' 2