A Few Portraits of Women by Sarah Miriam Peale (American painter, 1800-1885)

Sarah Miriam Peale was a daughter of artist James Peale, brother of artist Charles Willson Peale, who both taught her to paint. As a young girl, she assisted her father & her sister, Anna Claypoole Peale, with fabric painting of shawls.

Sarah Miriam Peale (American painter, 1800-1885) Artist's Self-Portrait 1818 Detail

Sarah Miriam Peale started her solo art career in 1816, with still life subjects but soon turned to portraiture, which brought her lifelong acclaim. Lafayette sat for her 4 times.

Sarah Miriam Peale (American painter, 1800-1885) Anna Maria Smyth 1821

In 1818 & 1820, she spent time in Baltimore with Rembrandt Peale, her cousin, who influenced both her painting style & choice of subject matter. For 25 years, she painted in Baltimore (1822-47) & intermittently, in Washington, D.C.

Sarah Miriam Peale (American painter, 1800-1885) Cornelia Mandeville 1830

She lived & painted in St. Louis, Missouri, for about 30 years (1847-77); but returned to Philadelphia, where she died in 1885. Sarah Miriam Peale never married & supported herself with sale of her paintings.

Sarah Miriam Peale (American painter, 1800-1885) Eleanor Smith Gittings, c. 1830

Sarah Miriam Peale (American painter, 1800-1885) Mrs William Crane 1840

Sarah Miriam Peale (American painter, 1800-1885) Mrs. Charles Ridgely Carroll 

(Rebecca Ann Pue) 1822

Sarah Miriam Peale (American painter, 1800-1885) Mrs. Rubens Peale and Son, 1823

Sarah Miriam Peale (American painter, 1800-1885) Patience Cole Cortland c 1840

Sarah Miriam Peale (American painter, 1800-1885) Self-Portrait 1830

Sarah Miriam Peale (American painter, 1800-1885) Veiled Woman 1830