Whistler's official title for his Peacock Room (Freer Gallery of Art) was Harmony in Blue and Gold Whereas several shades of gold paint were used throughout the room, silver paint exists in the south wall panel alone. Numerous newspaper articles from February 1877, when the artist held society and press viewings in the room during the patron's absence, do not mention anysilver. Following a visual survey under raking light, cross-sections were removed from the panels, mounted, ground, and polished. Under a microscope, the cross-sections revealed that silver paint was laid over gold quite hastily. It was then possible to conclude that the silver paint was a last-minute addition made by Whistler himself. -- AATA