Sarah Miriam Peale

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarah_Miriam_Peale
see another portrait at: The Baltimore Sun (Baltimore, Maryland)23 Apr 1982, FriPage 25 = https://www.newspapers.com/image/legacy/377456366/?terms=%22Charles...

Sarah M. Peale was one of the United States greatest artists. To many, she is thought to be the first professional woman painter in the U.S. She won many awards throughout her life for her paintings, and is considered a successful female American artist from selling her paintings.

Sarah Miriam Peale was born on May 19th 1800, in Philadelphia, PA, to Mary and James Peale. Sarah started painting in her early childhood. She was taught by her father and her uncle, James Peale. She started her career in 1816, at the age of 16, painting things like flowers and other still life objects. Soon afterward, she stated portraits. At 18, she drew a portrait of herself, which was family tradition. If Sarah drew the portrait well, her family would consider her an artist and she would become her father’s assistant. After drawing her portrait, her father evaluated it and decided that he wasn’t pleased. Because of this, Sarah decided to do something different than the rest of her family. In 1818, Sarah left Philadelphia and went to Baltimore.

In Baltimore, Sarah spent 3 years with her cousin Rembrandt. Rembrandt greatly influenced Sarah’s painting techniques, and he also helped her with her oil painting and glazing technique. After spending 3 years with her cousin, Sarah spent 20 more years in Baltimore, and established herself as one of Baltimore’s most capable artists. After leaving Philadelphia, Sarah moved around a lot, from Baltimore to Washington D.C. to St. Louis. During this time, she drew for some of the best costumers, like many diplomats, congressmen, and other well known individuals. In 1877, Sarah returned to Philadelphia where she spent the rest of her life. She never married, and died on February 4, 1885.

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