Dorothy Seton dates from 1902. On Monday 20 October 1902, according to Elizabeth Robins Pennell (1855-1936), Whistler had been painting 'Miss Seton', whom she described as:

'a Miss Seton, who was rolling up her reddish hair when I came in. "Most people think she isn’t pretty," Whistler said, "but I find hers a remarkable face. It reminds me of Hogarth's Shrimp Girl in the National Gallery". He had been working, but only a very little. He did not seem able to get back to it again. He showed me a sketch of her head, against a grey-green background, on a tiny panel.' 1