the collector's folio

Charles Willson Peale Most Popular Paintings

The 25 artworks by Charles Willson Peale our visitors ask for most, ranked by popularity and presented one by one, with the specification and the price of each hand-painted reproduction.

Edition 2026 · 25 artworks Each artwork painted to order
Linen canvas · Certificate of authenticity · Delivered worldwide Charles Willson Peale · 1741 – 1827

Untitled (D2X63K)

1789 · Metropolitan Museum of Art, new york · original 92 x 69 cm

Experience Neoclassical elegance with Peale's 1789 portrait capturing revolutionary dignity; discover this masterpiece of Enlightenment American art today.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 1 of 302 artworks by Charles Willson Peale
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18127 × 37 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$34469 × 92 cm Commission at original size

Portrait of a Gentleman

1775 · Metropolitan Museum of Art, new york · original 25 x 20 cm

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 2 of 302 artworks by Charles Willson Peale
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18129 × 35 cm Commission this artwork

Governor Thomas McKean and His Son, Thomas, Jr.

1787 · Philadelphia Museum of Art, Philadelphia

Charles Willson Peale’s 1787 portrait captures Governor Thomas McKean and his son, showcasing Enlightenment ideals & American identity through refined detail and historical significance.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 3 of 302 artworks by Charles Willson Peale
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18129 × 35 cm Commission this artwork

Thomas and Henry Sergeant

1787 · Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

Experience neoclassical American idealism with Peale's 1787 portrait of Thomas and Henry Sergeant, capturing Enlightenment virtue; discover this masterpiece today.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 4 of 302 artworks by Charles Willson Peale
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18129 × 35 cm Commission this artwork

The Staircase Group (also known as Raphael and Titian Ramsey Peale)

1795 · Philadelphia Museum of Art, Philadelphia

Charles Willson Peale's 'The Staircase Group' (1795) is an illusionistic masterpiece featuring his sons, showcasing early American art & science. A captivating trompe l'oeil painting with a hidden ticket!

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 5 of 302 artworks by Charles Willson Peale
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18122 × 46 cm Commission this artwork

Charles Willson Peale Self-Portrait

1791 · National Portrait Gallery, London · original 72 x 84 cm

Discover Charles Willson Peale's iconic self-portrait, a remarkable blend of artistry and scientific curiosity. Explore the life & legacy of this pioneering American painter & museum founder.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 6 of 302 artworks by Charles Willson Peale
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18128 × 36 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$33572 × 84 cm Commission at original size

Thomas Willing

1782 · Metropolitan Museum of Art, new york · original 126 x 101 cm

Charles Willson Peale’s masterful portrait captures Thomas Willing, founder of the Bank of North America, amidst opulent surroundings and symbolizing transatlantic trade and patriotism. Featuring George Washington and intricate silver detailing.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 7 of 302 artworks by Charles Willson Peale
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18128 × 35 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$536101 × 126 cm Commission at original size

Samuel Mifflin

1777 · Metropolitan Museum of Art, new york · original 126 x 101 cm

Admire Charles Willson Peale’s masterful portrait of Samuel Mifflin, commissioned during the American Revolution. Explore this opulent depiction featuring John Singleton Copley's influence and symbolizing Mifflin’s mercantile success.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 8 of 302 artworks by Charles Willson Peale
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18128 × 35 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$536101 × 126 cm Commission at original size

James Peale

Detroit Institute of Arts, Detroit

Capture a quiet, contemplative moment with this portrait by Charles Willson Peale, showcasing 18th-century American artistry; discover this timeless piece today.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 9 of 302 artworks by Charles Willson Peale
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18137 × 27 cm Commission this artwork

George Washington (Last Bust Portrait type)

1795 · original 30 x 22 cm

Admire George Washington by Charles Willson Peale – a stunning Neoclassical portrait of the first US President. Oil on canvas, 1795. A rare & beautiful historical piece!

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 10 of 302 artworks by Charles Willson Peale
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18132 × 32 cm Commission this artwork

General Henry Knox

1778 · Metropolitan Museum of Art, new york · original 7 x 5 cm

Charles Willson Peale’s dignified portrait of General Henry Knox captures the resilience of leadership during Valley Forge—a neoclassical masterpiece reflecting Enlightenment ideals and showcasing meticulous brushwork to convey unwavering resolve.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 11 of 302 artworks by Charles Willson Peale
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18129 × 34 cm Commission this artwork

Margaret Strachan (Mrs. Thomas Harwood)

1771 · Metropolitan Museum of Art, new york · original 79 x 62 cm

Admire Charles Willson Peale’s exquisite portrait of Margaret Strachan Harwood, commissioned around 1775 alongside her husband Thomas Harwood's likeness. Explore the elegance and detail of this captivating piece.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 12 of 302 artworks by Charles Willson Peale
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18128 × 35 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$30062 × 79 cm Commission at original size

The Stewart Children (also known as Isabella and John Stewart)

1773 · Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum, Madrid

Experience 'The Stewart Children' by Peale! This captivating 1773 oil on panel portrait showcases innocence & beauty, housed in Madrid. Discover its symbolism and Charles Willson Peale’s masterful artistry.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 13 of 302 artworks by Charles Willson Peale
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18137 × 27 cm Commission this artwork

Mordecai Gist

1774 · Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, San Francisco

Charles Willson Peale's 'Mordecai Gist' depicts George Washington in a contemplative pose amidst books and a sailboat, showcasing his dedication to knowledge and representing an iconic image of leadership during the American Revolution.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 14 of 302 artworks by Charles Willson Peale
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18129 × 35 cm Commission this artwork

Rachel Weeping

1772 · Philadelphia Museum of Art, Philadelphia

Charles Willson Peale's "Rachel Weeping" (1772) is a poignant oil painting capturing grief and mourning, showcasing his skill & reflecting American history.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 15 of 302 artworks by Charles Willson Peale
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18130 × 33 cm Commission this artwork

George Washington

1778 · Metropolitan Museum of Art, new york · original 241.3 x 156.8cm

A heroic Neoclassical portrait of George Washington by Charles Willson Peale. Explore this powerful masterpiece today.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 16 of 302 artworks by Charles Willson Peale
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$20626 × 39 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$1310157 × 241 cm Commission at original size

John Nicholson

1790 · Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago

This 1790 Neoclassical portrait by Charles Willson Peale shows a dignified man. Explore this masterpiece of academic realism today.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 17 of 302 artworks by Charles Willson Peale
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18127 × 37 cm Commission this artwork

William Smith and His Grandson

1788 · Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Richmond

Charles Willson Peale's "William Smith and His Grandson" (1788) captures a tender family bond through masterful portraiture, showcasing love & education in colonial America.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 18 of 302 artworks by Charles Willson Peale
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18128 × 35 cm Commission this artwork

Exhumation of the Mastadon

1805 · Peale Museum, Baltimore

Witness the dramatic 1805 exhumation of a mastodon skeleton by Charles Willson Peale, capturing American scientific history; explore this masterpiece reproduction today.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 19 of 302 artworks by Charles Willson Peale
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18135 × 29 cm Commission this artwork

Washington After the Battle of Princeton, New Jersey

1779

A powerful portrait of George Washington in military attire by Charles Willson Peale captures the patriotic triumph of 1779 through realistic detail, inviting you to bring this piece of American history into your home.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 20 of 302 artworks by Charles Willson Peale
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18125 × 39 cm Commission this artwork

Portrait of Robert Morris

New Orleans Museum of Art, New Orleans

Admire Charles Willson Peale’s "Portrait of Robert Morris," a refined Neoclassical portrait showcasing meticulous detail & formal elegance. Explore this American colonial masterpiece!

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 21 of 302 artworks by Charles Willson Peale
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18128 × 35 cm Commission this artwork

Portrait of a Woman

1775 · Metropolitan Museum of Art, new york · original 24.8 x 20.0cm

This 1775 monochrome portrait by Charles Willson Peale exudes quiet elegance. Explore this classical masterpiece today.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 22 of 302 artworks by Charles Willson Peale
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18129 × 35 cm Commission this artwork

Portrait of William Harris Crawford

1818 · High Museum of Art, Atlanta

This striking oil on canvas portrays William Harris Crawford, a Georgian politician and Secretary of War under James Madison. Painted by Charles Willson Peale in 1818, it exemplifies neoclassical style and showcases meticulous detail—a testament to Peale's skill as both artist and scientist.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 23 of 302 artworks by Charles Willson Peale
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18128 × 35 cm Commission this artwork

James Peale (also known as The Lamplight Portrait)

1822 · Detroit Institute of Arts, Detroit

Experience 'The Lamplight Portrait' by Charles Willson Peale (1822). A captivating oil painting of an elderly man, showcasing masterful lighting & historical detail – a timeless work of American art.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 24 of 302 artworks by Charles Willson Peale
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18137 × 27 cm Commission this artwork

Self Portrait

1822 · Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, San Francisco

Charles Willson Peale's "The Artist in His Museum" (1822) captures the artist’s life, art, and scientific pursuits within his Philadelphia museum. A unique blend of portraiture & natural history.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 25 of 302 artworks by Charles Willson Peale
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18129 × 35 cm Commission this artwork

The artist

Charles Willson Peale

1741 – 1827

Quick facts

Gift suitabilitycorporate gift
Typical colorsespresso, phthalo green
Topics exploredportraiture, 18th century, historical figure, american art, american revolution
Also known asCharles Wilson Peale, Charles W. Peale, C. W. Peale, Peale, Chas. Wilson Peale
Died1827
Creative periodsmature period
Art periodEarly Modern
Works on APS302

Biography

Charles Willson Peale: A Life of Art, Science, and Patriotism

Born: April 15, 1741, Chester, Queen Anne's County, Maryland
Died: February 22, 1827, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Early Life and Artistic Training

Peale’s early life was marked by financial hardship following his father’s death. He apprenticed as a saddler before discovering his passion for art.
He received initial training from John Hesselius and briefly studied with John Singleton Copley, demonstrating an early aptitude for portraiture.
A crucial period in his development was his time studying under Benjamin West in London (1767-1770). This exposure to European artistic trends significantly influenced his style.

Artistic Career and Major Works

Portraiture: Peale is best known for his portraits of prominent figures from the American Revolution, including numerous depictions of George Washington (nearly sixty in total). These portraits are valuable historical documents as well as artistic achievements.
Style: His style evolved over time, initially influenced by West’s Neoclassical approach but later incorporating elements of realism and a desire to capture likeness accurately.
Notable Works:
- George Washington (1772): Marked the beginning of his long association with Washington.
- The Staircase Group (c. 1795): A striking example of trompe l'oeil, depicting his sons Raphael and Titian as if they were part of the architectural setting.

Scientific Pursuits and Peale’s American Museum

Peale was a passionate naturalist and scientist, organizing expeditions to study natural history.
He founded Peale's American Museum in Philadelphia (1784), one of the first museums in the United States. It housed botanical, biological, and archaeological specimens.
The museum played a significant role in popularizing science and education in America. He was particularly known for his displays of mastodon bones, acquired through an expedition in 1801.
He taught himself taxidermy to preserve specimens for the museum, demonstrating his diverse skills.

Legacy and Historical Significance

Peale’s work bridges the gap between art and science, reflecting the Enlightenment ideals of his time.
His portraits provide invaluable visual records of key figures in American history.
The founding of Peale's American Museum was a pioneering effort that helped establish the museum as an important institution for education and scientific exploration.
He influenced subsequent generations of artists and scientists, contributing significantly to the development of American culture.
His family legacy continued through his sons, including James Peale and Rubens Peale, who also became accomplished artists and contributed to the museum's collection.

Questions & Answers

Where can I see Charles Willson Peale's artworks in chronological order?

A timeline of Charles Willson Peale's works exists: the artist's Artwork Timeline page orders the artworks by creation date.

What are the birthplace and birth year of Charles Willson Peale?

Charles Willson Peale was born in Chester in 1741.

Where is Charles Willson Peale from?

Charles Willson Peale was born in United States.

By the WahooArt.com Editorial Team Updated Aug. 31, 2026

Collector's quiz

Charles Willson Peale was born in which present-day state?
What was one of Charles Willson Peale's significant contributions beyond painting?
Who was a frequent subject of Charles Willson Peale's portraits?

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