Physical Dimensions: overall: 55.5 x 46 cm (21 7/8 x 18 1/8 in.)
framed: 76.8 x 68 x 7 cm (30 1/4 x 26 3/4 x 2 3/4 in.)
Provenance: Dr. Gandie, Nice.[1] Private collection of Bernheim-Jeune, Paris, by 1913;[2] in partnership 1934 to (Durand-Ruel, New York); sold 1937 to (Carroll Carstairs Gallery, New York); sold 1937 to Andrew Mellon [1855-1937], Pittsburgh and Washington;[3] by inheritance to his daughter, Ailsa Mellon Bruce [1901-1969], New York;[4] bequest 1970 to NGA.
[1] Guy-Patrice and Michel Dauberville, _Renoir: Catalogue raisonné des tableaux, pastels, dessins et aquarelles 1858-1881_, Paris, 2007: 1:no. 403, include collector Henri Canonne (1867-1961) in the provenance. However, there is no other evidence of his ownership. Arsène Alexander, in _La Collection Canonne_ (1930) does not mention this picture, but includes a similar painting of a woman braiding her hair.
[2] The painting was exhibited at Bernheim-June in 1913 as lent by a private collection; was published in 1919 as in the private collection of Bernheim-Jeune; was was lent by Bernheim-Jeune to a 1933 exhibition in Paris.
[3] Information about Bernheim-Jeune and Durand Ruel, as well as Carstairs, is in a letter dated 28 November 1977 from François Daulte; in NGA curatorial files.
[4] Ailsa Mellon Bruce notebook now in NGA archives, copy NGA curatorial files.