Anna Claypoole Peale (1791-1878)
Do you think you may own a miniature portrait by Anna Claypoole Peale? We authenticate, appraise and research all paintings by this great artist.
Anna Claypoole Peale was an early American artist and the niece of famous painter Charles Willson Peale. She came from a long line of famous American painters and is considered by some art historians as the most important female miniaturist in America. Furthermore, Anna and her sister Sarah were among the earliest and most successful professional female painters in American history.
Peale grew up in Pennsylvania and received some of her earliest training from her father, artist James Peale. She also often worked alongside her sister, Sarah Miriam Peale. Anna and Sarah shared a studio together and both sisters enjoyed thriving artistic careers. Both Anna and Sarah assisted their father in the studio by painting fabric on their fathers’ portraits, such as shawls and drapery.
In 1811, she began to exhibit her work at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts. Both Anna and Sarah were eventually named Academician of the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, and were the only women to ever receive that honor. In 1818, Anna was taken to Washington D.C. by her father to paint portraits of General Andrew Jackson and James Monroe.
Anna had studios in both Philadelphia and Baltimore and often traveled to Washington D.C., Boston and New York. In general, the bulk of her oeuvre consists of miniature watercolor portraits painted on ivory. However, she was also known to paint still life paintings, and had a great talent for them. These paintings are said to be beautifully executed and very few, and to find one would be a rare treasure.
Peale eventually married the Reverend William Straughton in 1829, but he tragically died only a few short months after their wedding. Anna married again in 1841 and it is said that she gave up painting shortly thereafter.
Today, her miniature portraits are owned in public and private collections throughout the United States, and perhaps in your own home. Still wondering about a family heirloom miniature portrait hanging in your home? Contact us…it could be by Anna Claypoole Peale.