Sarah Miriam Peale
Have you heard of Sarah Miriam Peale? She was an artist active in Baltimore and Philadelphia during the 1820s, and she gained fame for her portraits and still lifes. This painting, one of Peale’s greatest works, portrays fruit in an ideal, unblemished state. No bruises or dents mar the melons, peaches, or grapes assembled on the table; rather, each is rendered as an exquisite, glistening jewel.
The Peale family occupies a unique position in the history of American art. Under the supervision and tutelage of painter, naturalist, and museum proprietor Charles Willson Peale, ten members of the family became prolific, well-regarded painters. Sarah Miriam trained with her father, James Peale, a miniaturist and still-life painter. At moments, she shared studio space with several of her well-regarded cousins, including artist and mechanic Raphaelle Peale, botanist-painter Rubens Peale, portraitist Rembrandt Peale, and acclaimed miniaturist Angelica Kauffmann Peale Robinson. If you're interested in this story, please check our article about the female artistic branch of the Peale family!
P.S. Sarah Miriam Peale is one of the amazing women artists who is rarely mentioned in the canon of art history. As you may know, we want to give proper recognition to these artists. Check out the amazing products with art created by Women in our DailyArt Shop. We highly recommend the postcards set!