Existing comment:
1892: In addition to acquiring Variations in Flesh Colour and Green: The Balcony, his first oil painting by Whistler. Freer also makes his first purchase of Asian ceramics.
1894-95: Freer makes his first tour of Asia, stopping in Ceylon (Sri Lanka), India, Singapore, China, and Japan.
1899: After orchestrating a massive consolidation of the railroad cat manufacturing industry to create the American Car and Foundry Company. Freer retires to collect art full time.
1904: Whistler had transformed a private dining room in London into the Peacock Room in 1876-77. Freer purchases the room, dismantles and ships it to the United States, and installs it in his Detroit home.
1906: At the urging of President Theodore Roosevelt, the Smithsonian accepts Freer's gift of art and funds for a new museum on the National Mall. Freer commissions artist Gari Melchers to paint Roosevelt's portrait (right) as a sign of his appreciation. |