Horsewhip was drawn on draft of a letter, which probably dates from 4 January 1878, from Whistler to B. Verity & Sons regarding Harmony in Blue and Gold: The Peacock Room [YMSM 178]. 1 It refers to the threat by Frederick Richards Leyland (1832-1892) to horse-whip Whistler if he came to Leyland's house again, and the inscription refers to Leyland's liking for frilled shirts.

Horsewhip, Glasgow University Library

'F. R. L. . . . frill!', Ashmolean Museum

However, it is possible, that both this and a related drawing, 'F. R. L. . . . frill!' [M.0719], date from after May 1879, when Whistler was declared bankrupt.

It is fully catalogued in MacDonald 1995 (cat. rais.) [more] (cat. no. 661).