The Peacock Room Exploration

Our winter exploration of some of the best art galleries and exhibitions in the city, continues with the exploration, of the Peacock Room where in its amazing beauty stands Whistler's painting The Princess from the Land of Porcelain.

The Peacock Room at Freer Gallery

Purchased by Charles Lang Freer (1854-1919) in 1904 and installed in the Freer Gallery of Art after his death, the Peacock Room is on display.

Brief History of The Peacock Room

The Peacock Room was originally designed as a dining room in the townhouse located at 49 Prince's Gate in the neighborhood of Kensington in London, and owned by the British shipping magnate Frederick Richards Leyland.

The original design of the Peacock Room was done by architect Thomas Jeckyll, with an intricate lattice framework of engraved spindled walnut shelves that held Leyland's collection of Chinese blue and white porcelain, mostly from the Kangxi era of the Qing dynasty.

The fighting peacocks by Whistler

Jeckyll had nearly completed his work when an illness compelled him to abandon the project. Whistler, who was then working on decorations for the entrance hall of Leyland's house, volunteered to finish Jeckyll's work in the dining room.

James McNeill Whistler took over and eventually transformed the entire room. Between 1876 and 1877, he enhanced the room with golden peacocks, painting every inch of the ceiling and walls to create an elegant setting in which Leyland could display his blue-and-white porcelain as well as Whistler's painting The Princess from the Land of Porcelain.

The Peacock Room Comes to America

Having acquired The Princess from the Land of Porcelain, American industrialist and art collector Charles Lang Freer anonymously purchased the entire room in 1904 from Leyland's heirs.

Freer then had the contents of the Peacock Room installed in his Detroit mansion. After Freer's death in 1919, the Peacock Room was permanently installed in the Freer Gallery of Art at the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C.

Post-Exploration Food & Drinks

After exploring the Peacock Room at the Freer Gallery we will head out to a nearby pub for some food, drinks and conversations.

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Event Details

Event: The Peacock Room Exploration

Description: Exploration of the Peacock Room where in its amazing grace stands Whistler's painting The Princess from the Land of Porcelain.

Date/Time: Saturday February 23, 2019 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM

Admission: Free / Grapes & Grains members must RSVP

Venue: Freer Gallery of Art (Meeting point: Near the Entrance)

Jefferson Drive at 12th Street SW, Washington, DC 20013

Article Category: Events