Artwork
James Peale
James Peale is a watercolor painting by the Rococo painting artist Charles Willson Peale. It dates from 1788 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The painting serves as a direct visual record of the artist's brother, capturing his appearance within the context of late 18th-century American portraiture.
The work is a portrait depicting James Peale. Created in 1788 by Charles Willson Peale, the piece functions as a biographical representation of the subject rather than an allegorical composition. As a portrait, its primary iconographic focus is the physical likeness and identity of James Peale himself.
The medium, watercolor on ivory, was a common choice for intimate miniatures of the period, emphasizing the personal nature of the depiction. The painting serves as a direct visual record of the artist's brother, capturing his appearance within the context of late 18th-century American portraiture.
Technique & Style
Created in 1788, this portrait of James Peale by Charles Willson Peale is executed in watercolor on an ivory support. The work is classified as a miniature portrait, characterized by its small scale, measuring approximately 4 by 3.1 inches. The choice of ivory as a ground was typical for miniatures of this period, allowing the translucent watercolor layers to achieve a luminous quality suited to depicting flesh tones.
As a portrait, the composition focuses entirely on the likeness of the male subject, and the handling demonstrates the precision required for such a diminutive format.
History & Provenance
James Peale, a 1788 watercolor-on-ivory portrait by Charles Willson Peale, is housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, where it is displayed in The American Wing. No accession number is provided in the available records, and the sources do not detail a separate exhibition history beyond its display in that wing. The painting's dimensions are recorded as approximately 4 × 3.1 inches, and it depicts the artist's brother, James Peale.
Overview
This intimate portrait depicts James Peale, rendered by his elder sibling, Charles Willson Peale. Executed in watercolor on a small ivory support, the artwork is a miniature, a format often intended for personal contemplation or to be worn as a decorative item. Its diminutive scale belies the meticulous attention to detail, characteristic of this specialized art form.
Artist & collection
Artist
Charles Willson Peale (April 15, 1741 – February 22, 1827) was an American painter, military officer, scientist, and naturalist.
