Portrait of Rosalba Peale

Rembrandt Peale, Portrait of Rosalba Peale, ca. 1820, oil on canvas, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase, 1978.71
Rembrandt Peale, Portrait of Rosalba Peale, ca. 1820, oil on canvas, 20 x 14 5⁄8 in. (50.8 x 37.0 cm.), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase, 1978.71
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Artwork Details

Title
Portrait of Rosalba Peale
Artist
Date
ca. 1820
Location
Not on view
Dimensions
20 x 14 5⁄8 in. (50.8 x 37.0 cm.)
Credit Line
Museum purchase
Mediums
Mediums Description
oil on canvas
Classifications
Subjects
  • Portrait female — Peale, Rosalba — bust
  • Occupation — art — artist
Object Number
1978.71
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/1978.71

Artwork Description

Rembrandt Peale tutored his daughter Rosalba (1799-1874) in art and raised her as an independent and strong-minded woman. Author and critic John Neal wrote that "Her mind is excellent. Her father has always taught her to think for herself, to reason, and to be firm, without wrangling or argument, in the expression of her opinions." (Miller, Rembrandt Peale, 1778-1860, A Life in the Arts, 1985) Although "Rosa" had many suitors, she refused to wed "the everyday man" and did not marry until she was sixty-two years old. In this portrait, made when she was in her early twenties, Rosalba's pensive expression conveys the alert mind and thoughtful conversation that won the admiration of others.

Works by this artist (9 items)

View all artworks
Rembrandt Peale, The Pier Head, Smithsonian American Art Museum, 1981.181.1
The Pier Head
Artist
Not on view
Rembrandt Peale, Unidentified, George Washington, lithograph, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of William Page Howell, 1979.135.8
George Washington
Artist
Unidentified
Copy after Rembrandt Peale
lithograph
Not on view
Rembrandt Peale, Contemplation, ca. 1850s, pencil on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Pamela Scott, 1985.47
Contemplation
Artist
Dateca. 1850s
pencil on paper
Not on view
Rembrandt Peale, Lord Byron, ca. 1825, lithograph on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of International Business Machines Corporation, 1966.48.85
Lord Byron
Artist
Dateca. 1825
lithograph on paper
Not on view

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