Self-Portrait dates from after Whistler arrived in France in November 1855, and probably from 1856 or 1857. 1

Louis Aubrée (fl. 1870-1899) wrote to Whistler from 5 Impasse du Tir, Malakoff, Hauts-de-Seine, Île-de-France, that about 1879 his father had inherited from 'Me. H. Aubrée', some works by Whistler ('peintures portraits signés de votre nom') dating from about 1855 or 1856, including 'un portrait de l'auteur peint par lui même.' 2

Whistler smoking, Private collection

There is no record of a reply, however, it is possible that the missing self-portrait is Whistler Smoking [YMSM 009].