Thesis

Charles Willson Peale is well known for his portraits and other artistic works but often unmentioned is his career in the malevolent and scandalous “Furious” Whigs Party. His devotion and love of education led him to found several museums, his work in the curation of museums has granted him (as some people call him) the “Father of the American museum system.” From his paintings to politics, museum to military service, and family and fame, Charles Willson Peale was a revolutionary and skillful painter. The culmination of these factors creates a vivid and expressive history and life.

Coming from less than humble beginnings, Charles Willson Peale’s father, Charles Peale, was guilty of embezzling government money while working as a clerk in the General Post Office. Charles Peale, the father, was tried and was sentenced to capital punishment. In 1740 Charles Peale became employed as teacher and later that year he married Margaret Triggs; they went on to have five children. Charles Willson Peale, the son, was born on April 15, 1741 in Queen Anne’s County. This was a mere seven months after their wedding and seven years later Charles Peale, the father, died. Margaret struggled to manage an estate and five children. Charles Willson Peale, being the oldest, was expected to help support his family. To support his family, Peale began as an apprentice to a saddler. After becoming skilled in saddling, Peale began his own saddling business and then married Rachel Brewer. To help support his growing debt, Peale added watch repair and silversmithing to his business but in 1763 Peale started his career into one of the greatest colonial painters. After adding sign painting to his business, exchanging a saddle for painting lessons, and receiving gu...

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...on, and in other places but his paintings gave him the capability to receive government patronage.

Peale’s first painting of William Pitt springboarded him into the pre-war colonial government patronage scene. Amazed at the work, the Annapolis legislature awards Peale 100 pounds for his donation to the State House. Also crucial to his later works was his work with Colonel George Washington. After receiving a commission for a painting of George Washington, a colonel and a member of the House of Burgesses6 he produces a portrait of him. The Maryland legislature recognizes Peale’s talent and commissions him to produce a portrait of, at the time, General George Washington. Peale produces Washington at Princeton and he continues to a receive more government patronage and commissions.

Arguably Peale’s greatest accomplishment was his work in founding and curating a museum.