This work is listed in the Ernst Ludwig Kirchner Archives, Wichtrach/Bern.

The woman portrayed in the present gouache is Erna Shilling, Kirchner's muse and companion until his death.
Kirchner met the Schilling sisters, one of whom was Erna, in 1912. In 1917, when this work was executed, the artist was confined to his bed and had to enter a sanatorium on Lake Constance. Erna handled all of his personal and business affairs. By maintaining contacts with its artist's friends in Berlin, on behalf of the artist, she ensured Kirchner's participation in the summer exhibition of the Berlin Secessions.