Sketch for a Portrait of Henry Greaves dates from about 1878. 1

According to Walter Greaves (1846-1930) (reported by the Pennells), 'Whistler once painted Harry Greaves on top of a moonlight.' 2 Charles Augustus Howell (1840?-1890) recorded in his diary, on 22 February 1878, the purchase from Whistler of 'a sketch for ... a portrait of Greaves' together with several other paintings (Girl with Cherry Blossom [YMSM 090], Nocturne [YMSM 114] or Nocturne: Blue and Silver - Battersea Reach [YMSM 119], Study for the Head of Miss Cicely H. Alexander [YMSM 128], and Nocturne: Grey and Gold - Chelsea Snow [YMSM 174]) for £50.0.0. 3 Howell did not, however, specify which Greaves brother was represented.