James peale artist biography

James Peale ( – May 24, ) was an American painter, best known for his miniature and still life paintings, and a younger brother of noted painter Charles Willson Peale.

Peale was born in Chestertown, Maryland, the second child, after Charles, of Charles Peale (–) and Margaret Triggs (–).

His father died when he was an infant, and the family moved to Annapolis. In he began to serve apprenticeships there, first in a saddlery and later in a cabinetmaking shop.

James peale artist biography

After his brother Charles returned from London in , where he had studied with Benjamin West, Peale served as his assistant and learned how to paint.

Peale worked in his brother's studio until January 14, , when he accepted a commission in the Continental Army as an ensign in William Smallwood's regiment.

Within three months he was promoted to captain, and during the next three years fought in the battles of Long Island, White Plains, Trenton, Brandywine, Germantown, Princeton, and Monmouth. He resigned his army commission in , a