Wanda de Guebriant, who is a recognised expert on the work of Matisse and archivist for the artist's estate, states that this drawing relates to a painting by Matisse, entitled Monique. It is more than possible that the sitter of this drawing was a student nurse by the name of Monique Bourgeois, who met Matisse in 1942, when he advertised for a nurse to assist him with his recovery from cancer. During this time, she sat for several of Matisse's drawings and paintings. In 1943 she entered the Dominican order and became known as Sister Jacques-Marie. Matisse's abiding friendship with her lead to his beautiful work on the Rosary Chapel in Vence, France.

In The Black, Lauraine Diggins Fine Art, Melbourne, 2009

Matisse's estate to Pierre Matisse Gallery in New York
private collection, USA, 1959
private collection, Melbourne
Deutscher and Hackett, Melbourne, 16-17 April 2008, Lot 64
private collection, Sydney