Arrangement in Yellow: Portrait of Lily Langtry dates from 1881. 1

In September 1881 Whistler wrote, 'Mrs Langtry is in Town and on Sunday came to breakfast - great success - there were fourteen of us in all! - I am to begin her portrait on Thursday - an arrangement in yellow.' 2 Mrs Langtry wrote much later that 'the numerous sittings were, I think, enjoyed by both of us ... I wonder what became of that unfinished picture and the yellow robe in which he was painting me? Both are still in existence I fancy.' 3