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Curious Revolutionaries: The Peales of Philadelphia

The Peales and the New Nation

Dictionary of Painters

The Gentleman's and Connoisseur's Dictionary of Painters

Reverend Matthew Pilkington, 1770
Ink on paper with leather binding
bf sketch

Diary Sketch

Charles Willson Peale, c. 1768
Pencil on paper
Portrait of George Washington

Portrait of George Washington

James Peale, Sr., 1787-1790
Oil on canvas
Mrs. Mary Peale

Miniature of Mrs. Mary Claypoole Peale

James Peale, Sr., c. 1790
Watercolor on ivory
James Peale sketchbook

Sketchbook

James Peale, Sr., c. 1776
Ink and pencil on paper with leather binding
Peale map

Map of New York, Showing British and American Troop Positions

Attributed to Charles Willson Peale, c. 1776
Ink on paper
Self-Portrait

Self-Portrait

Charles Willson Peale, 1777-1778
Oil on canvas
Diary Sketch

Diary Sketch

Charles Willson Peale, 1777
Ink and pencil on paper with leather binding
Portrait of David Rittenhouse

Portrait of David Rittenhouse

Charles Willson Peale, 1791
Oil on canvas
Portrait of Robert Patterson

Portrait of Robert Patterson

Rembrandt Peale, 1830
Oil on canvas
Peale's Museum (street view)

Peale's Museum (street view)

James Peale, Sr., 1784-1794
Oil on wood
Subscription Book

Subscription Book for Tickets

The Philadelphia Museum, 1794
Bound volume

The Gentleman's and Connoisseur's Dictionary of Painters

Reverend Matthew Pilkington, 1770
Ink on paper with leather binding

Whereas most early Americans kept genealogical records in the family Bible, Charles Willson Peale used this dictionary of painters to document family names and birth dates. Many of his 17 children were named after artists found in these pages.

APS.

Dictionary of Painters

Diary Sketch

Charles Willson Peale, c. 1768
Pencil on paper

While studying art in London, Charles Willson Peale called upon Benjamin Franklin uninvited. Peale accidentally witnessed the well-known flirt engaging in promiscuous behavior with a lady. Instead of leaving, Peale secretly sketched the scandalous scene for future generations.

APS. Peale-Sellers Family Collection.

bf sketch

Charles Willson Peale, c. 1768
Pencil on paper

Portrait of George Washington

James Peale, Sr., 1787-1790
Oil on canvas

This portrait of Washington is a copy of a previous portrait done by Charles Willson Peale in 1787. James made it his own, however, by placing Washington at Yorktown and adding the two admiring Peale brothers over Washington’s shoulder.

Independence National Historic Park Collection, Philadelphia, PA.

Portrait of George Washington

Miniature of Mrs. Mary Claypoole Peale

James Peale, Sr., c. 1790
Watercolor on ivory

In 1782, James Peale married Mary Claypoole, who came from a family of revolutionaries and painters herself. The newlyweds initially lived near Charles Willson and his family on Philadelphia’s Lombard Street.

APS. Gift of Sam Carrier and Susan Kane.

Mrs. Mary Peale

Sketchbook

James Peale, Sr., c. 1776
Ink and pencil on paper with leather binding

As a captain in the Revolution, James Peale fought in many important battles, including Trenton and Princeton. When he wasn’t fighting, James found time to sketch scenes from the field.

APS. Peale-Sellers Family Collection.

James Peale sketchbook

Map of New York, Showing British and American Troop Positions

Attributed to Charles Willson Peale, c. 1776
Ink on paper

This map depicts British and American troop positions during the 1776 Battle of Brooklyn. Charles Willson Peale was not stationed there himself, but his brother James participated in the American defeat.

APS. Peale-Sellers Family Collection.

Peale map

Self-Portrait

Charles Willson Peale, 1777-1778
Oil on canvas

Charles Willson Peale completed this self-portrait during the British occupation of Philadelphia.  He proudly wears his Pennsylvania militia uniform and a captain’s gold braid on his hat. Peale sketched military scenes and painted his fellow officers throughout the war.

APS.

Self-portrait

Diary Sketch

Charles Willson Peale, 1777
Ink and pencil on paper with leather binding

Here, Charles Willson Peale depicted General Washington and himself gazing out across New Jersey’s Raritan River. In the distance, British troops hoping to take Philadelphia clashed with American forces at the Battle of Short Hills.

APS. Peale-Sellers Family Collection.

Diary Sketch

Portrait of David Rittenhouse

Charles Willson Peale, 1791
Oil on canvas

David Rittenhouse was a prominent early American scientist who also served as President of the American Philosophical Society  from 1791-1796. As a member of the Pennsylvania Assembly and Pennsylvania Constitutional Convention, his portrait was featured in Peale’s gallery.

APS.

portrait of David Rittenhouse

Portrait of Robert Patterson

Rembrandt Peale, 1830
Oil on canvas

Robert Patterson was a mathematics professor at the University of Pennsylvania and President of the American Philosophical Society from 1819-1824. He encouraged Peale’s plans for a public museum, and even donated the first specimen: a paddlefish.

APS.

Portrait of Robert Patterson

Peale's Museum (street view)

James Peale, Sr., 1784-1794
Oil on wood

The Peale family home was located at 3rd and Lombard Streets. The long structure in the center held Peale’s portrait gallery and featured America’s first skylight.

APS.

Peale's Museum (street view)

Subscription Book for Tickets

The Philadelphia Museum, 1794
Bound volume

In 1794, Peale solicited support from high-powered public figures  to expand his museum. George Washington, John Adams, James Monroe, 87 U.S. Congressmen, and other American leaders responded to the call by purchasing annual museum passes.

The Historical Society of Pennsylvania.

Subscription Book
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Phone: 215-440-3400

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Phone: 215-440-3400

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