Harmony in White and Ivory

I’ve just received a 1911 print depicting Whistler’s 1886 portrait of Lady Colin Campbell, “Harmony in White and Ivory.” First displayed at the time of her divorce trial, the portrait was unfinished and later disappeared, presumed destroyed by the artist himself.

Was the colour of the dress chosen to signify innocence in the face of her impending trial?

It was certainly timely. The portrait was displayed at the winter exhibition of the Society of British Artists, opening with the private viewing the day after the divorce trial began. The newspapers went wild with suggestions of the co-respondents competing to purchase the portrait of their alleged lover, but it is more likely it was destroyed by Whistler, dissatisfied with the outcome of his work.