Page:Women Artists in All Ages and Countries original scans.djvu/298

290 WOMEN ARTISTS.

Dunlap, in his sketch of the artist, mentions his son and two daughters as having adopted their father’s profession. There were three daughters who did thus, out of five who showed talent for art, viz., Anna, Sarah, and Margaretta. The son, James Peale, show- ed, from early youth, a remarkable talent for land- scape-painting. His sketches from nature were ad- mirable. For many years, though not a professional artist, he contributed an exquisite picture to every opening of the annual exhibition of the Academy of the Fine Arts, in Philadelphia.

Anna was born in Philadelphia, and from child- hood showed extraordinary talent for art. When about fourteen years of age, she copied in. oil-colors two paintings by Vernet; and these, sent to public auction, brought her thirty dollars, then esteemed a good price for first efforts. Stimulated by this reward of her labor, she resolved to persevere, and in time became able to command an independence. Her father had a large family to support by his profession of portrait and miniature painting, and his daughter looked forward with pleasure to the thought of being a help instead of a burden to him. It was not, how- ever, until two years after that she was able seriously to apply herself to the art. One other attempt only she made in oil-colors; a small fruit-piece, from na- ture. Her father thought miniature-painting on ivory the most suitable employment for a lady, and urged her to make a trial of her powers in that branch. She had learned much by standing behind his chair, hours and hours at a time, and watching his progress. He took great pains in teaching her, pointing out the pe- culiar touches that produced his best effects, bz giving a charm to the expression. �