Grateful American Kids

Meet Painter Charles Willson Peale

Charles Willson Peale (April 15, 1741 – Feb. 22, 1827) was an American painter, soldier, scientist, inventor, politician, and naturalist. He is best remembered for his portrait paintings of leading figures of the American Revolution, as well as for establishing one of the first museums.

Born in 1741 in Chester, Queen Anne’s County, MD, Peale became an apprentice to a saddle maker when he was 13 years old. When he got older, he opened his own saddle shop, but his political enemies conspired to bankrupt his business. He tried fixing clocks and working with metals, but both of these businesses failed as well. He then took up painting.

roundpic1Finding that he had a talent for painting, Peale studied for a time under John Hesselius and John Singleton Copley before going to England to study with the famous painter Benjamin West. When he returned to America, he settled in Annapolis, MD. There, he taught painting to his younger brother, James Peale, who in time also became a noted artist.

Peale’s enthusiasm for the nascent national government brought him to the capital, Philadelphia, in 1776, where he painted portraits of famous Americans and visitors from overseas. He also raised troops for the War of Independence and eventually gained the rank of captain in the Pennsylvania militia by 1776, having participated in several battles. While in the field, he continued to paint, doing miniature portraits of various officers in the Continental Army. Later in his life, he produced enlarged versions of these. After serving in the Pennsylvania state assembly in 1779–1780, he returned to painting full-time.

roundpic2Peale was very prolific as an artist. While he did portraits of scores of historic figures (such as James Varnum, Benjamin Franklin, John Hancock, Thomas Jefferson, and Alexander Hamilton), he is probably best known for his portraits of George Washington. The first time Washington sat for a portrait was with Peale in 1772, and they had six other sittings; using these seven as models, Peale produced close to 60 portraits of Washington.

A Renaissance man, Peale had expertise not only in painting but also in many other fields, including carpentry, dentistry, optometry, shoemaking, and taxidermy. In 1802, John Isaac Hawkins patented the second official physiognotrace, a mechanical drawing device, and partnered with Peale to market it. Peale sent a watercolor sketch of the physiognotrace, along with a detailed explanation, to Thomas Jefferson. The drawing is now held with the Jefferson Papers in the Library of Congress.

roundpic3Around 1804, Peale obtained the American patent rights to the polygraph from its inventor, John Isaac Hawkins, about the same time as the purchase of one by Thomas Jefferson. Peale and Jefferson collaborated on refinements to this device, which enabled a copy of a handwritten letter to be produced simultaneously with the original.

Peale wrote several books, among which were “An Essay on Building Wooden Bridges” (1797) and “An Epistle to a Friend on the Means of Preserving Health (1803). His brother-in-law, Nathaniel Ramsey, was a delegate to the Congress of the Confederation. Peale died on Feb. 22, 1827, and was buried in Philadelphia.

What can Grateful American™ Kids teach us about this extraordinary man? Scroll down for a transcription of the script performed by 4th grade students from the Richmond, VA, school — Sabot at Stony Point. Watch our video where you’ll meet Richmond actor Chris Dunn, who portrays Peale.


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A GRATEFUL AMERICAN™ KIDS ORIGINAL: The life of Charles Willson Peale

Charles Willson Peale: Hello, I’m American Revolutionary Era artist Charles Willson Peale, and I am thrilled to welcome all of you Grateful American™ Kids to this segment of our new history TV show for kids, by kids.

I was born near Annapolis, MD, on April 15, 1741 and died in Philadelphia, on Feb. 22, 1827. In the 85 years of my life, much changed in America — and in the world of American art.

We are here at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in Richmond, VA, so that I can introduce you to some of the art that was created when our country was just starting out.

In addition to painting the portraits of famous Americans such as George Washington and Benjamin Franklin, what I love about this museum is that it reminds me of the one I founded in Philadelphia. Granted that first one failed, but then my next try was a hit, but we’ll get to all of that soon enough.

In fact, today you will meet some of the people in my family, my life, and even one of my paintings! You’ll also learn what it was like to be an artist during this period in American history.

Now, I’d like to welcome Robert Smith, the young boy in this painting I did of him and his grandfather, which now hangs in the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. Robert was just 2 when I painted it. (You can see this painting here, on the VMFA’s website.)

Robert, I’m very happy to be talking to you about this painting that I did of you and your grandfather William Smith in 1788. Did you know that it took me three weeks to complete? It was your father, General Otho Holland Williams, who commissioned me to do this piece, because your grandfather was a well-known merchant and statesman. In fact, he was one of the first members of the United States Congress, and it was he who insisted that you be in the painting! (See a close-up of Robert in the painting below that shows his grandfather’s hand resting on his head,)

screen-shot-2016-12-02-at-5-50-59-pmRobert Smith: Was your father a painter, too?

Charles Willson Peale: Oh, no. My father, Charles Peale, was a postal clerk in London, England. He stole some money, and instead of going to prison he was sent America, where he became a headmaster at a school in Maryland. Unfortunately, he died when I was only 8.

Robert Smith: What inspired you to become a painter?

Charles Willson Peale: Well, when I was 13, I apprenticed for a saddle maker in Annapolis, MD, and by the time I was 21 I had my own shop. I also repaired clocks and watches but I didn’t make a lot of money. I did, however, get to meet some very rich, well-educated people, and in 1762 something amazing happened. I was invited to the home of Philadelphia painter and engraver James Claypoole, Jr. When I saw the artwork in his home, that excited me about art, and I think that’s where my life as an artist truly began.

Robert Smith: Once you became a painter, what kind of things did you paint?

66686-004-f13af394Charles Willson Peale: Over the course of my career I did 771 oil portraits, 297 miniatures, 29 landscapes, 11 still-lifes, and 10 history paintings … but who’s counting? Among them were paintings of prominent political figures, including Dolley Madison — known as the nation’s first first lady (shown right).

Robert Smith: I heard that you were married  three times and had 17 kids, and that many of them became artists, too!

Charles Willson Peale: I’m glad you asked me about that because one of my sons, Rembrandt, is here right now. Rembrandt became a famous still-life painter as well.

Rembrandt Peale: Hello, Robert. Father, there is so much wonderful symbolism in the painting Robert is in.

Charles Willson Peale: Yes, there is! Let’s start with the country estate in the background. That represents the wealth that Mr. Smith accumulated during his years as a merchant. And notice the peach, the pruning knife, and the book. They represent his avid interest in horticulture. Those columns that I added in the background represent the stability of the new country, and they also bring to mind the republican values of ancient Rome. You can see why this painting is an example of  “Narrative Portraiture” — it tells a story!

youngrobertRobert Smith: So does the painting hanging right next to the one of my grandfather and me at the VMFA. It’s a portrait of a prominent lady named Elizabeth Page, who later married Mr. Benjamin Harrison, who was related to the ninth president of the United States, William Henry Harrison. (You can also see this painting on VMFA’s website.)

Charles Willson Peale: Remember when I told you I painted presidents and some of the Founding Fathers? I also painted prominent people like Mrs. Benjamin Harrison. She was a member of Virginia’s “landed gentry” because she was part of a social group that owned land. She grew up on a beautiful farm called Roswell Plantation that was built by her father in Gloucester County, VA. When I painted her in 1775, I added roses to her dress. Can you guess why I included an unopened rosebud? To show that she’s probably expecting a child.

Rembrandt Peale: Does Robert know how you learned to be such a great painter?

wp-vmfa_west_2015-216_v1tf201505Charles Willson Peale: Well, let me tell you about one of the paintings done by my teacher, Benjamin West, that’s also in the VMFA. Benjamin West was a painter to the kings and queens of England. King George III commissioned Mr. West to do a painting of his niece and nephew in 1779 during the American Revolution.

The painting was meant to remind people that they should be loyal to the king. The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts has one of your paintings, Rembrandt, of a famous lawyer. It shows John Marshall, the fourth chief justice of the United States.

Rembrandt Peale: Father, I’m very proud of that painting. My goal was to capture Justice Marshall’s inner character and judicial temperament.

1280px-the_peale_family_charles_willson_pealeCharles Willson Peale: Well, you did a magnificent job. But remember, you aren’t the only talented member of our family. I had 11 children with your mother, Rachel, whom I married in 1762, and I named several of our children after artists.

There was Raphael, the still-life painter, Rubens managed our museum in Philadelphia, and Titian took part in expeditions out West. And of course there was my brother James, your uncle. He became a famous painter and he had many children — including three daughters who became some of the first female American painters: Margaretta Angelica Peale, Anna Claypoole Peale, and Sarah Miriam Peale.

Anna Claypoole and Sarah Miriam, it’s wonderful to have you with us today. Both of you grew up to be well-known artists. Sarah Miriam, some of your still-lifes are at the VMFA, and you became a fine portrait artist, too.

220px-self_portrait_sarah_miriam_pealeSarah Miriam Peale: I was the youngest in my family — born in 1800 in Philadelphia. When I was 16 I decided to show my art, my still-life paintings, in public and found my passion, which is portraiture.

Charles Willson Peale: Anna Claypoole and Sarah Miriam, we’re so proud that you were the first two women accepted into the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts.

Anna Claypoole Peale: Sarah Miriam, you were especially prolific. You painted more than 100 commissioned portraits, including some of the wealthiest residents in Baltimore and politicians from Washington, DC. I always loved your still-life work; I think my favorite is “Basket of Berries,” which you painted in 1860.

Charles Willson Peale: Anna, we’re proud of you, too. You captured the essence of the people who sat for you, and in fact at the age of 20 you were part of our first exhibit at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, which for you became a major exhibit.

anna-claypoole-peale-by-her-father-james-peale-1749-1831-1825Anna Claypoole Peale: Oh, that was a divine experience, wasn’t it, Sarah Miriam? But I think the moment that truly took our breath away was in 1824 when we became the first women elected academics in the Academy.

Sarah Miriam Peale: It was such an honor, for us and the entire family.

Charles Willson Peale: I’m proud of my role in helping to found the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts in 1805 with my good friend and sculptor William Rush. In 1811, I also organized annual art exhibitions. President Thomas Jefferson, who was in his second term at the time, was a great supporter not only of my work, but of this museum. The museum’s goal is to collect works by leading American artists and distinguished alumni of the school.

benfranklinBenjamin Franklin was also a great supporter of my work and this museum. He wrote me a letter from London in 1771, when I was just 30, in which he said,

“The Arts have always traveled Westward, and there is no doubt of their flourishing hereafter on our side of the Atlantic, as the number of wealthy inhabitants shall increase, who may be able and willing suitably to reward them.”

Is it too immodest to tell you that I was called a Renaissance Man? Not only did I have expertise in painting, but also carpentry, dentistry, optometry, shoe making, and taxidermy. I also wrote several books, including an essay on building wooden bridges and an epistle to a friend on the means of preserving health, but perhaps my family is my greatest legacy. My three wives and 17 children have given me great pleasure.

I bid you farewell and I hope our conversation on Grateful American™ Kids TV inspires you to learn more about history and perhaps pick up a paintbrush and see what you can create!


History Challenge: Take This Fun, Five-Question Quiz about Charles Willson Peale

Look for hints in the video that give clues to the answers!

Architectural view of the James W. and Frances G. McGlothlin Wing - Twilight northeast, September 20131. What does “VMFA” stand for?

A) Vermont Military and Farming Association

B) Vegetarian Moms for Agriculture

C) Virginia Museum of Fine Arts

D) Victorian Models and Fashion Affiliation

The answer is C) the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. Located in Richmond, VA, its purpose is to collect, preserve, exhibit, and interpret art, to encourage the study of the arts, and thus to enrich the lives of all. Learn more at vmfa.museum.

charles_wilson_peale_-_self-portrait_with_angelica_and_portrait_of_rachel_-_google_art_project2. How many children did Charles Willson Peale have?

A) 10

B) 17

C) 2

D) 24

The answer is B) 17. Peale was married three times; he and his first wife, Rachel Brewer Peale (1744-90), had eleven children; seven of them survived childhood, although one son died at the age of eighteen. After Rachel’s death Peale married Elizabeth De Peyster (1765-1804), with whom he had another seven children, five of whom lived to become adults. Peale’s third wife, Hannah More (1755-1821), helped him raise his youngest offspring.

Six of Peale’s sons were named for Renaissance and Baroque painters: Raphaelle (1774-1825), Rembrandt(1778-1860), Rubens (1784-1865), two sons named Titian (1780-98 and 1799-1885), and Vandyke Peale (1792-94). The first three became important painters in their own right, while Titian the second became an artist and naturalist. Three of Peale’s daughters were named for important painters: Angelica Kauffman (1775-1853), Sophonisba Angusciola (1786-1859), and Rosalba Carriera (1788-90), who died in childhood. Two of Peale’s sons were given scientific names: Benjamin Franklin Peale (1795-1870), called Franklin, was named for the artist’s close friend; Charles Linnaeus Peale (1794-1832) was named for the famous Swedish botanist and zoologist.

benjaminwestnga3. Who was Charles Willson Peale’s art teacher?

A) Benjamin West

B) Kanye West

C) Cornel West

D) Adam West

The answer is A) Benjamin West, who was one of the most famous painters of the time in London. Born October 10, 1738 (he died on March 11, 1820) was best known for his historical scenes; he was the second president of the Royal Academy in London, serving from 1792 to 1805 and 1806 to 1820. He was offered a knighthood by the British Crown, but declined it, believing that he should instead be made a peer. West believed: “Art is the representation of human beauty, ideally perfect in design, graceful and noble in attitude.”

750px-pennsylvania_academy_of_the_fine_arts4. Which academy did artists Anna Claypoole and Sarah Miriam get accepted to?

A) Hogwarts School of Wizardry and Witchcraft

B) Starfleet Academy

C) Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters

D) Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts

The answer is D) the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts. Founded in 1805, it is the first and oldest art museum and art school in the United States. Today, it is  known internationally  for its collections of 19th- and 20th-century American paintings, sculptures, and works on paper. Its archives house important materials for the study of American art history, museums, and art training. Learn more at academyart.edu.

Feet of the Newburgh mastodon5. Charles Willson Peale helped discover and put together the remnant of which ancient animal?

A) Saber-Toothed Tiger

B) Mastodon Elephant

C) Tyrannosaurus Rex

D) Megalodon Shark

The answer is B) a Mastodon Elephant. Click here to  learn more about this Fascinating Fact!

 

Thank you so much for taking the quiz about Revolutionary War Era painter Charles Willson Peale.

Here’s to getting excited about studying American history!

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