Study in Blue, Pink and Gold is difficult to date, because of Whistler's habit of re-working drawings. It could date from the late 1860s, but it is more likely to date from 1871/1873. It was reworked by the artist at the turn of the century.

Study in Blue, Pink and Gold, Colby College Museum of Art

It is related to several drawings dating from the 1870s including r.: Blue and Gold; v.: Ship [M.0399] and Note in flesh-colour gold - The Golden Blossom [M.0402].

It was kept by the model, Eva Victoria Carrington (1887-1979) , who was posing for Whistler between 1898 and 1902.