Blue Sea Piece, Dieppe dates from one of Whistler's trips to Dieppe, in August 1897, 1898 or 1899. 1

‘Blue sea piece Dieppe’ was mentioned by Whistler in 1901/1902 as having been sold to 'Hessel', presumably the Paris dealer Charles Hessele (fl. 1892-1914). 2

The picture may also have been one of several paintings mentioned by Whistler on 8 July 1899 as sold to a man in Paris, possibly Hessele: '[A] man here ... has just now carried off seven paintings that you, for the last two years, had not perceived as sufficiently "grown" to be of service - but which properly framed and signed - as they now all are - go to make a mighty pretty little collection.' 3 If Whistler was being precise, which is not certain, this indicates he had sold several works painted in 1897 and signed in 1899. Unfortunately Whistler's butterfly monogram had not changed much in that time, so this is no help in dating or identifying the painting.