Charles Willson Peale



About
Show more

Peale came to painting after unsuccessful apprenticeships as a saddlemaker, clockmaker and metalworker.  Once he discovered his talent, he studied portraiture with John Singleton Copley followed by three years in England with Benjamin West.  Returning to the Colonies, he became an ardent patriot and moved to Philadelphia.  He joined the Pennsylvania militia, fought during the war. He painted portraits of many of the officers.  After the war, he reestablished his portrait painting business in Philadelphia.  Possibly to aid in the marketing, he displayed many of the portraits in the ground floor of his home which proved popular, so much so that he opened the Philadelphia Museum and began to charge admission.  The collection quickly expanded beyond paintings to embrace natural history, models, artifacts.  Peale began to offer programs as well. 

Born, Apr 15, 1741
Died, Feb 22, 1827

Founded the Philadelphia Museum

Factoids
He named all ten of his children (by three wives) after famous painters.

Related People
Rembrandt Peale,Father of Rembrandt Peale
James Peale,Brother of James Peale
BACK
IMAGE ALBUMS
3 Results,Show less
Charles Willson Peale
1 Result,Show less
Self Portrait in the Philadelphia Museum when it was on the second floor of Independence Hall
George Washington
1 Result,Show less
George Washington by Charles Willson Peale, 1780
Martha Washington
1 Result,Show less
Portrait of Lady Washington by Various Artists
Possibly engraved by Joseph Hiller, Sr. or Samuel Blyth. Artist after Charles Peale
ADDITIONAL PHOTOGRAPHS
1 Result,Show less
Self Portrait in the Philadelphia Museum when it was on the second floor of Independence Hall

Sign up for our mailing list

Inc. © 2023

Patent Pending
Privacy Policy