Lovers in Art

The Artist and His Family

1795

James Peale (1741–1827)
31 1/4 x 32 3/4 in. (79.4 x 83.2 cm)
Courtesy of the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Philadelphia, Gift of John Frederick Lewis, 1922.
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• The painting combines Peale’s abilities in portraiture with his interest in landscape and command of the so-called conversation piece.

• The conversation piece is a type of informal portrait that was popular in London in the mid-eighteenth century.

• James Peale developed a neoclassical portrait style,  and he painted individual and group portraits until the end of his life.

• The precisely delineated setting in this family portrait hints at the artist’s broader interest in landscape painting.

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