The Peacock Room – Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art via The Smithsonian [Shared]

I visited here about 23 years ago and was amazed by the gorgeous room. While it certainly not be to everyone’s taste, the workmanship and design are quite striking. I highly recommend taking a few minutes to enjoy it whenever you might be in Washington, DC. — Douglas

The Peacock Room – Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art

Originally designed by architect Thomas Jeckyll, the Peacock Room was once the dining room in the London home of Frederick R. Leyland, a wealthy shipowner from Liverpool, England. Although the architect merely asked artist James McNeill Whistler (1834–1903) for advice about what color to paint the shutters and doors, Whistler transformed the entire room, much to the surprise of the room’s owner. Between 1876 and 1877, he enhanced the space with golden peacocks, painting every inch of the ceiling and walls to create an elegant setting in which Leyland could display his ceramic collection as well as Whistler’s painting The Princess from the Land of Porcelain. Leyland was far from pleased with the transformation—and with the artist’s requested fee—but he kept the room intact. Whistler never saw the Peacock Room again. Purchased by Charles Lang Freer in 1904 and installed in the Freer Gallery of Art after his death, the Peacock Room is on permanent display.

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