Portrait of a Baby may date from between 1900 and 1902. 1

1900: On 20 February 1900 Whistler mentioned to Rosalind Birnie Philip (1873-1958), 'I should like that head of the baby I did at Etretat' sent to Paris. 2

Le Bébé français, The Hunterian

It has been assumed that this refers to Le Bébé français [YMSM 484], but it could have been another portrait, possibly Portrait of a Baby [YMSM 549].

Portrait of a Baby, Private Collection

Mrs Vanderbilt and baby Cornelia, photograph

1902: It could, however, be a portrait of Cornelia Vanderbilt (1900-1976), who was born on 22 August 1900. On 13 January 1902 her father George Washington Vanderbilt (1862-1914) wrote to Whistler, 'I think when you see Cornelia you will feel like doing that head of her that we all thought would be so fine.' 3 The Vanderbilts were in Europe in April 1902 and although there is no record of Whistler having painted her portrait, Cornelia would have been twenty months old in April 1902, which would suit the age of the child in the portrait.

The technique in both portraits is compatible with Whistler's work between 1900 and 1902.