Variations in Violet may date from 1884. 1 It was first shown in Whistler's one-man exhibition of 'Notes' - 'Harmonies' - 'Nocturnes', Messrs Dowdeswell, London, 1884 (cat no. 30) as 'Variations in Violet'.

It was, unusually for Whistler, a flower painting. In the late summer of 1884 (after the closure of the exhibition) Whistler wrote to Charles William Dowdeswell (1832-1915), 'I am greatly pleased with you - I have a great opinion of your understanding now that you like the flower pieces!' 2 Unfortunately there is no further record of the 1884 flower painting.