“Sir,” replied Mrs. Washington, “I am as punctual as the general.” It may be imagined that Mr. Peale took care to be at the house the next day at the time appointed.
Dunlap, in his sketch of the artist, mentions his son and two daughters as having adopted their father’s profession. There were three daughters who did thus, out of five who showed talent for art, viz., Anna, Sarah, and Margaretta. The son, James Peale, showed, from early youth, a remarkable talent for landscape-painting. His sketches from nature were admirable. For many years, though not a professional artist, he contributed an exquisite picture to every opening of the annual exhibition of the Academy of the Fine Arts, in Philadelphia.
Anna was born in Philadelphia, and from childhood showed extraordinary talent for art. When about fourteen years of age, she copied in oil-colors two paintings by Vernet; and these, sent to public auction, brought her thirty dollars, then esteemed a good price for first efforts. Stimulated by this reward of her labor, she resolved to persevere, and in time became able to command an independence. Her father had a large family to support by his profession of portrait and miniature painting, and his daughter looked forward with pleasure to the thought of being a help instead of a burden to him. It was not, however, until two years after that she was able seriously to apply herself to the art. One other attempt only she made in oil-colors; a small fruit-piece, from nature. Her father thought miniature-painting on ivory the most suitable employment for a lady, and urged her to make a trial of her powers in that branch. She had learned much by standing behind his chair, hours and hours at a time, and watching his progress. He took great pains in teaching her, pointing out the peculiar touches that produced his best effects, by giving a charm to the expression.
Not only was Miss Peale assiduous in the study of her father’s exquisite miniatures, but she copied several executed by distinguished artists in that line. One, from a painting by the celebrated Duchésne, a portrait of Napoleon, was sold to a gentleman in Philadelphia for one hundred and fifty dollars. Her ambition to attain to excellence, now fairly kindled, nerved her to industry and enterprise. She painted a miniature of Washington from a portrait, which was purchased of her father by one of his friends and brother officers of the Revolution, Colonel Allen M‘Clain. The first miniature portraits from life which she undertook were those of Dr. Spencer H. Cone and his venerable mother. These, with one or two others, were presented at the annual exhibition of the Academy of the Fine Arts. She and her sister, Miss Sarah M. Peale, were elected honorary members of this institution. This sister had adopted portrait-painting in oil as her profession.
The artistic career thus commenced went on most prosperously. Although she owed nothing to any public notice of her talents, Miss Anna Peale soon found abundant occupation in painting miniature likenesses. Her health, however, suffered under her incessant labors, and she was compelled to put a higher price on her work in order to reduce the number of applications. She was so frequently solicited to paint the likenesses of children, and found them such troublesome subjects, that she charged double price for them.
From the commencement of Miss Peale’s painting to her sister’s entrance on the arena as a portrait-painter, for some years, it is believed, she was the only professional lady artist in Philadelphia. The sisters, after having commenced their labors, passed their time alternately in Philadelphia and Baltimore; in the latter city receiving unbounded attention and encouragement from families of the highest respectability. They were not only well received as artists, but were welcomed as friends and hospitably entertained. They were much caressed by the family of the venerable Charles Carroll of Carrollton. Miss Sarah painted in oil a portrait of his daughter, Mrs. Caten.
The sisters afterward went to Washington to paint the portrait of General La Fayette, who sat for it at their request. Anna spent the winter of 1819 in the Federal city with her uncle, Charles M. Peale, who went there for the purpose of painting the portraits of many distinguished members of Congress. They worked in the same studio. General Jackson was one of their sitters. Miss Peale retained his portrait, and has it still in her possession. President Monroe also had his likeness taken, and the artists were often hospitably entertained at the “White House” by the President and his amiable wife. During the time of her stay in Washington, Miss Peale had her time filled up with commissions; she painted several of the members of Congress, among whom were Henry Clay and Colonel R. M. Johnson.
In the following year Miss Peale again visited Washington. She painted a miniature likeness of that remarkable character, John Randolph of Roanoke. It is now in her possession. So incessant was her application to work, that during the summer she was obliged to travel for the recovery of her health, and to give rest to her eyes. Several times they were attacked with inflammation, and at one time she had cause to dread the total loss of sight. Some time after this period she visited Boston, where she painted several portraits. Daniel Webster sat twice for a miniature, which she never quite finished.
In 1829 Miss Peale received the addresses of Rev. Dr. William Staughton, a Baptist clergyman of much learning and distinction. He was about that time elected president of the Theological College at Georgetown, Kentucky. They were married August 27th, 1829, and left Philadelphia for the scene of the husband’s future labors. While they were in the city of Washington, Dr. Staughton was taken ill. He died early in December, in a little more than three months after the marriage. The widow returned to Philadelphia the following spring. She resumed her profession, and painted with as great success as before.
Her second marriage, with General William Duncan, a gentleman highly esteemed in social life, may be said to have closed her career as an artist, though her love for art can never be lost. In her happy home, surrounded by accomplished relatives, and beloved by a large circle of friends, she looks back with pride to the days when she toiled to woo the Muse of Painting, and still acknowledges the truthful remark of the German poet: