The Peacock Room

Artist JAMES WHISTLER scrapes by with MAUD FRANKLIN begging rich men for patronage. Whistler pitches commissions to FREDERICK LEYLAND over the skepticism of Leyland's wife FRANCES. Taken by Whistler's charm, the Leylands push Frances' rebellious sister LIZZIE on him. The match worries and frustrates Maud, moreso when the unsupervised artist focuses his energy on "perfecting" the Leyland's dining room during Frederick's time abroad. Lizzie retaliates by disclosing Frederick's infidelity. Frances vows revenge and takes to personally encourage the artist. Wanting more, Whistler pulls a publicity stunt, inviting the press into the Leyland's home. Frederick lashes out at Frances, who then seduces Whistler, inducing the artist to discard Maud and paint the Leyland dining room gold. Frederick returns, demanding Whistler marry Lizzie and cutting off further payment. Lizzie breaks the engagement, Whistler repaints the dining room blue, and Frederick finally loses patience, insulting and dismissing the artist. Whistler substitutes a mural of fighting peacocks for the original commission.Frederick threatens public humiliation, and Whistler sues for libel. The artist is bankrupted by victory and forced by Frederick to sell everything he owns. When Maud returns to salvage her things, Whistler sees he's gotten her pregnant, like one of Frederick's liaisons. Frances leaves them both. Frederick dies alone. Whistler starts anew. CHARLES FREER saves the Peacock Room for posterity.