Rubens Peale

Raphaelle Peale, Rubens Peale, ca. 1800, watercolor on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Edwin Kirk, 1941.9.1
Copied Raphaelle Peale, Rubens Peale, ca. 1800, watercolor on paper, sight 3 3⁄4 x 2 5⁄8 in. (9.5 x 6.7 cm) rectangle, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Edwin Kirk, 1941.9.1
Free to use

Artwork Details

Title
Rubens Peale
Artist
Date
ca. 1800
Location
Not on view
Dimensions
sight 3 3⁄4 x 2 5⁄8 in. (9.5 x 6.7 cm) rectangle
Credit Line
Gift of Edwin Kirk
Mediums
Mediums Description
watercolor on paper
Classifications
Subjects
  • Portrait male — Peale, Rubens — bust
  • Occupation — art — artist
Object Number
1941.9.1
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/1941.9.1

Artwork Description

This small drawing of Rubens Peale (1784-1864) resembles many of the silhouettes made during this period, showing the artist’s brother in profile. Rubens was a favorite subject for his artistic family, and several members painted his likeness. Designed to be framed and hung on a wall rather than in a closed locket worn on the body, this piece demonstrates how the line between miniatures and small-scale drawings was beginning to blur.