Why did Frederick R. Leyland object to James McNeill Whistler’s decoration of the Peacock Room?

Frederick R. Leyland, a shipping magnate and patron of James McNeill Whistler, objected to the decoration of the Peacock Room because he believed the artist had exceeded the scope of his original commission.1

Specifically, Leyland was displeased that Whistler had painted over antique leather wallcoverings to achieve his desired aesthetic. While Leyland had initially permitted Whistler to redecorate the dining room to harmonize with the painting The Princess from the Land of Porcelain, the artist’s extensive modifications—which also included trimming borders off Oriental rugs to create a gold and turquoise atmosphere—went far beyond what the patron had intended.12