Deserving of Comparison, or a Study on Peale
"Charles Willson Peale was a model Enlightenment man. A scientist as well as an artist who was unfailingly curious and energetic, his list of skills and interests rivaled Leonardo's." ––Carol Strickland. As history continues to charge forward, producing men who specialize in one area and who are not commonly disposed to study numerous topics, or to learn many skills, man who "rivaled Leonardo" becomes increasingly difficult to locate. Yet, Charles Peale, an American during the years not long following the migration from England, nevertheless fits this coveted description. As is demonstrated by his life and works, Peale was a man who was fearless of new things, and accordingly, a man of much …show more content…
After studying under these men, for some time, Peale traveled to London to learn under the artist Benjamin West. In 1767, Peale sailed back to America, and a few years later he, his wife Rachel, and their children moved to the town of Philadelphia. The year of 1776 saw Peale marching out with the Continental Army, and in due time, receiving the title of captain. After the war's completion, Peale briefly accepted a position as the Constitutional Society's president, before concluding that he preferred his artistic work to political work. Accordingly, during the years in direct succession of the war, Peal spent the majority of his time in his arts, rendering many scenes from his wartime experiences. As a result, "Washington, his officers, and the men of the Revolution are known today largely through Peale's eyes" (Encylopedia.com, Charles Peale). In the year of 1786, Peale started a museum of natural history, which the "first in the United States" (Encyclopedia.com, Charles Peale) of its kind. Shortly after this achievement, the passing of Peale's wife, Rachel, threw a cloud of sadness over his work. However, in 1791 Peale married again, this time to a woman named Elizabeth Defeyster. From about this time forward, Peale focused his talents and time more on science, and less on the art that had captivated his …show more content…
Alongside painting, drawing, saddle-making, watch-mending, upholstering, and fighting, Peale also invented. Such creations as a particular style of false teeth, newfangled glasses, and a "stove that consumed its own smoke" (Strickland, pg. 72) belong to the mind and hands of this remarkable man. Peal exhibits a significant amount of artistic ability in his paintings as well. His use of balanced, realistic compositions, not overcrowded and possessing little motion, that generally serious in tone and utilizes muted colors place his style into the expressive realm of Neoclassicism, which was so popular in his time. Peale is remembered as one of the first and most talented artists in America, a category shared by his contemporaries, such as John Singleton Copley, the creator of the "Portrait of Paul Revere," Gilbert Stuart, the man who painted that famous portrait by the title of "George Washington," and Benjamin West, who composed the "Death of General Wolfe." Peal's talent not only rivaled that of his contemporaries, but also encompassed a number of
"Charles Willson Peale was a model Enlightenment man. A scientist as well as an artist who was unfailingly curious and energetic, his list of skills and interests rivaled Leonardo's." ––Carol Strickland. As history continues to charge forward, producing men who specialize in one area and who are not commonly disposed to study numerous topics, or to learn many skills, man who "rivaled Leonardo" becomes increasingly difficult to locate. Yet, Charles Peale, an American during the years not long following the migration from England, nevertheless fits this coveted description. As is demonstrated by his life and works, Peale was a man who was fearless of new things, and accordingly, a man of much …show more content…
After studying under these men, for some time, Peale traveled to London to learn under the artist Benjamin West. In 1767, Peale sailed back to America, and a few years later he, his wife Rachel, and their children moved to the town of Philadelphia. The year of 1776 saw Peale marching out with the Continental Army, and in due time, receiving the title of captain. After the war's completion, Peale briefly accepted a position as the Constitutional Society's president, before concluding that he preferred his artistic work to political work. Accordingly, during the years in direct succession of the war, Peal spent the majority of his time in his arts, rendering many scenes from his wartime experiences. As a result, "Washington, his officers, and the men of the Revolution are known today largely through Peale's eyes" (Encylopedia.com, Charles Peale). In the year of 1786, Peale started a museum of natural history, which the "first in the United States" (Encyclopedia.com, Charles Peale) of its kind. Shortly after this achievement, the passing of Peale's wife, Rachel, threw a cloud of sadness over his work. However, in 1791 Peale married again, this time to a woman named Elizabeth Defeyster. From about this time forward, Peale focused his talents and time more on science, and less on the art that had captivated his …show more content…
Alongside painting, drawing, saddle-making, watch-mending, upholstering, and fighting, Peale also invented. Such creations as a particular style of false teeth, newfangled glasses, and a "stove that consumed its own smoke" (Strickland, pg. 72) belong to the mind and hands of this remarkable man. Peal exhibits a significant amount of artistic ability in his paintings as well. His use of balanced, realistic compositions, not overcrowded and possessing little motion, that generally serious in tone and utilizes muted colors place his style into the expressive realm of Neoclassicism, which was so popular in his time. Peale is remembered as one of the first and most talented artists in America, a category shared by his contemporaries, such as John Singleton Copley, the creator of the "Portrait of Paul Revere," Gilbert Stuart, the man who painted that famous portrait by the title of "George Washington," and Benjamin West, who composed the "Death of General Wolfe." Peal's talent not only rivaled that of his contemporaries, but also encompassed a number of