London March 3, 2020

Hi,

So in response to the Peacock room by Darren Waterston Frances wrote that she didn't like it until she understood more of the background. Here is more on it.....

'On the east side, three tall windows parted the room overlooking a private park,and covered by full-length walnut shutters. To the north a fireplace, over which hung the painting by American painter James McNeill Whistler, Rose and Silver: The Princess from the Land of Porcelain, that served as the focal point of the room. The ceiling was constructed in a pendant paneled Tudor-style, and decorated with eight globed pendant gas light fixtures. To finish the room, Jekyll placed a rug with a red border on the floor.

Jeckyll had nearly completed his decorative scheme 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. Concerned that the red roses adorning the leather wall hangings clashed with the colors in The Princess, Whistler suggested retouching the leather with yellow paint, and Leyland agreed to that minor alteration. He also authorized Whistler to embellish the cornice and wainscoting with a "wave pattern" derived from the design in Jeckyll's leaded-glass door, and then went to his home in Liverpool. During Leyland's absence however, Whistler grew bolder with his revisions.

Well, you know, I just painted on. I went on ―without design or sketch― it grew as I painted. And toward the end I reached such a point of perfection ―putting in every touch with such freedom― that when I came round to the corner where I started, why, I had to paint part of it over again, as the difference would have been too marked. And the harmony in blue and gold developing, you know, I forgot everything in my joy in it.

— James McNeill Whistler

Upon returning, Leyland was shocked by the "improvements." Artist and patron quarreled so violently over the room and the proper compensation for the work that the important relationship for Whistler was terminated. At one point, Whistler gained access to Leyland's home and painted two fighting peacocks meant to represent the artist and his patron, and which he titled Art and Money: or, The Story of the Room. Thus the title Filthy Lucre .

Anyway on to the last day here... these are a few of the sites along the way.

There seems to be a lot of pink around town

We walked again to the Daylesford restaurant not far away from the hotel where we had lunch yesterday as well. Great organic salads.

Then to Mayfair area where we saw two shows at Hauser & Wirth. The first was with Isa Genzken who was investigating exteriors and interiors using the frame of the window.

Airplane windows

The next show is by Alina Szapocznikow who died in the 70s and is interested in the body.

Front and back

We moved along to Elisabetta Cipriani Gallery. She carries mostly jewelry made by artists. And then to Louisa Guiness Gallery which does the same. Here are images from Lousia's.

Entry way arrangement

William Turnbull in image above lower right

Main room

Calder I would love to have

Stopped in at Pace Gallery to see a James Turrell show. And a funny thing happened when I tried to take a photo of the images. They turned white instead of the color they were to the eye. Now that is very strange. The colors it was were are reflected on the floor.