Harmony in Grey and Peach Colour probably dates from between 1872 and 1874. 1

The signature suggests a date of 1873/1874: it was probably signed in time for Mr Whistler's Exhibition at the Flemish Gallery, 48 Pall Mall, London, in 1874, when it was exhibited as 'Harmony in Grey and Peach Colour' (cat. no. 7).

Study in Grey and Pink, Freer Gallery of Art

Harmony in Grey and Peach Colour, Fogg Art Museum

A pastel study for the oil painting is entitled Study in Grey and Pink [M.0470], and this title helps to confirm the identity of the oil.

According to Thomas Robert Way (1861-1913), the painting was 'more or less destroyed' by Whistler and acquired by Way's father at the time of Whistler's bankruptcy in 1879; it was then cleaned about 1883 by Way Jr, with Whistler's permission, although 'the defacing had been so thorough that it was most difficult to reach the original painting.' 2 However, both the Pennells and Charles Lang Freer (1856-1919) thought that Whistler had not agreed to the restoration, and that T. R. Way, despite the artist's objections, had repainted it. 3