This drawing is an early study for the Portrait de Mlle Yvonne Landsberg, 1914 (coll. Philadelphia Museum of Art, Louise and Walter Arensberg collection). The Landsberg family chose Matisse instead of more conventional artists to do a portrait of nineteen year-old Yvonne. She sat many times for Matisse, who did numerous drawings and often repainted her picture entirely after each sitting. Her portrait evolved from a naturalistic representation into what her brother Albert called a "Byzantine Icon," with linear rays emanating from her form. Yvonne's mother was shocked at the result and declined to buy it. The picture was acclaimed in avant-garde circles, however, and the Montross Gallery acquired it soon after and brought it to New York.

A photo-certificate from Wanda de Guébriant dated Paris, January 28, 1988 accompanies this drawing which is listed as no. X213 in the Henri Matisse archives.