Provenance

• 1876: commissioned by Frederick Richards Leyland (1832-1892), Liverpool, for his London house at 49 Princes Gate;
• 1892: after Leyland's death, 49 Princes Gate was auctioned by Osborn & Mercer, London, 17 June 1892 (withdrawn at £20,100).
• 1897: the house was bought by Mrs Blanche Marie Georgiana Watney (1837-1915), of the brewing family, who lived there until 1903;
• 1904: bought through Brown & Phillips, London dealers, by Messrs Obach, London dealers;
• 1904: bought from Obach's by Charles Lang Freer (1856-1919), Detroit;
• 1919: bequeathed by C.L. Freer to the Freer Gallery of Art.

In March 1892 the auctioneers Osborn and Mercer wrote to Whistler:

'We beg to inform you that we have received instructions from the Solicitors acting on behalf of the Executors of the late F. R. Leyland Esq. to dispose of that charming residence 49 Princes Gate which owes so much to your care attention and advice. Should you know of anyone requiring such a model of tasteful refinement we shall be much obliged if you will acquaint us when we will send descriptive particulars and the necessary card to view.' 1

In June 1904 Messrs Obach held an exhibition at 168 New Bond Street, London, The Peacock Room painted for Mr. F. R. Leland by James McNeil Whistler, removed in its entirety from the late owner's residence and exhibited at Messrs Obach's Galleries. C. L. Freer bought Harmony in Blue and Gold: The Peacock Room [YMSM 178] as well as the staircase panels. The panels arrived in America in August 1904. 2 Several panels from the hall remained in London, and are now in the Victoria and Albert Museum.

Exhibitions

• 1904: The Peacock Room painted for Mr. F. R. Leland [sic] by James McNeil Whistler, removed in its entirety from the late owner's residence and exhibited at Messrs Obach's Galleries, 168 New Bond Street, London.

By the terms of C. L. Freer's bequest to the Freer Gallery of Art, the panels cannot be lent.