from more than two years of study in London, schooled in the art of portraiture
             and in command of the artistic versatility that was to characterize his career. He
             introduced his children and his brother to the art of painting, and they, in turn,
             passed the heritage to succeeding generations. "For a full century the Peale
             artists contributed their talents to the development of American art and ideas.
             Through thousands of works of art as well as through art institutions, scientific
             explorations and publications, and educational activities, the Peales sought to
             persuade Americans of the value of cultural and intellectual enterprises for the
             continued success of the country's republican experiment."1
             Charles Willson Peale was the eldest of all of his siblings. Peale born in
             1741, labored as craftsman until 1762, when he discovered the art of portraiture.
             After receiving brief instruction from portraitists John Hesselius and John
             Singleton Copley in the colonies, Peale traveled abroad in 1766 to study in the
             London studio of American artist Benjamin West. "Returning home thoroughly
             conversant with the major elements of the British portrait tradition and the
             classical theory that dominated 18th-century British art, he taught painting to his
             younger brother James, his nephew Charles Peale Polk, and his sons
             Raphaelle, Rembrandt, Titian Ramsay I, Rubens, and Titian Ramsay II."2
             1.Wilson, Janet. The Ingenious Mr. Peale. New York, NY: Antheneum Books For Young
             2. http://www.thinker.org/deyoung/exhibitions/peale/index.html., "The Peale Family" p. 1
             Three of James's daughters--Anna Claypoole, Margaretta, and Sarah Miriam--
             assisted their father in his studio, and, in turn, developed their artistic skills.
             "The Enlightenment concept of the family as the basis of a healthy society
             and civic harmony permeated the art of Charles Willson Peale just as it
             dominated social thinking in ...