Provenance

• 1879: it is not known whether Whistler retained Sketch for 'The Balcony' at the time of his bankruptcy or retrieved it later.
• 1903: in Whistler's studio at the time of his death and bequeathed to his ward and executrix, Rosalind Birnie Philip (1873-1958) ;
• 1958: bequeathed by Miss R. Birnie Philip to the University of Glasgow.

Unfinished works, and paintings destroyed by the artist, were not sold at the time of his bankruptcy. Some were retained for safe-keeping by his family, friends, and even creditors, and some of these paintings were returned to him later.

Exhibitions

It was not exhibited in Whistler's life time.