James Peale

James Peale (1749 – May 24, 1831) was an American painter, best known for his miniature and still life paintings, and a younger brother of noted painter Charles Willson Peale.

Early life

Peale was born in Chestertown, Maryland, the second child, after Charles, of Charles Peale (1709–1750) and Margaret Triggs (1709–1791). His father died when he was an infant, and the family moved to Annapolis.

At the outset of his painting career Peale painted portraits and still-life, and by the mid-1780s had established his reputation. At about this time, however, Charles turned over his own miniature portrait practice to him, and throughout the 1790s and early 19th century Peale devoted himself to miniature painting. Much of this work was watercolor on ivory. In 1795 Peale exhibited a still life of fruit along with nine miniatures and his family portrait at the Columbianum, a short-lived art academy in Philadelphia. Around 1810, as Peale's eyesight began to weaken, he gave up painting miniatures to turn to large portraits and still-life subjects that were greatly admired and widely exhibited in Philadelphia, Boston, and Baltimore.

Personal life

In 1782 he married Mary Claypoole (1753-1828), a daughter of James Claypoole and sister of portrait painter James Claypoole Jr., after which he established his own household and artistic career. Together, Mary and James were the parents of seven children, three of whom became accomplished painters in their own right, including:

Maria Claypoole Peale (1787–1866) also became a painter of still lifes, though of less distinction than her sisters. James Peale Jr. (1789–1876), who married his cousin, Sophonisba Peale (1801–1878), daughter of Raphaelle Peale. Anna Claypoole Peale (1791–1878), a miniaturist and still-life painter Margaretta Angelica Peale (1796–1882), painter of trompe l’oeil subjects and tabletop fruit Sarah Miriam Peale (1800–1885), a portraitist and still-life painter Jane Ramsay Peale Eleanor Peale.

Peale died in Philadelphia on May 24, 1831, and is buried at Gloria Dei (Old Swedes') Church cemetery along with this wife and six children.

Gallery