a biography of the day-anna claypoole peale (portrait painter and miniaturist)

Anna Claypoole Peale (1791-1878)

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She is best known for her miniature portraits, a medium used by all of her family, but in which she excelled. Her uncle, Charles Willson Peale wrote of her work, “Anna in Miniature is becoming excellent” -- a hefty compliment given that he probably was the era’s most famous American painter. After Anna had been working in Charles' studio for a year, he wrote of her progress, “Her merit in miniature painting brings her into high estimation, and so many Ladies and Gentleman desire to sit for her that she frequently is obliged to raise her prices.”

Anna Peale’s first major exhibition was in 1811, when she was just 20 years old. Her work was featured at the first exhibition of the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, which was co-founded by her uncle, Charles Willson Peale. She continued to show her artwork there for many years, especially her miniatures. In 1824, Anna Claypoole and her sister, Sarah Miriam Peale, were the first women to be elected members of the Pennsylvania Academy.

Anna stayed mainly in Baltimore and Philadelphia, but she never was financially dependent on her family and also worked successfully in New York and Boston. She remained in demand throughout her illustrious career and often had very famous sitters, including two presidents, Andrew Jackson and James Monroe.
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Anna Claypoole Peale left a great mark on the artistic world and on the world as a whole. Even after her death on December 25, 1878, Peale’s artwork remains highly appreciated and valued. Her miniatures and portraits of both famous and ordinary people have been collected by curators around the world, and her work and life inspire artists and non-artists alike.

Taken from Young and Brave: Girls Changing History


http://www.nwhm.org/education-resources/biography/biographies/anna-claypoole-peale/