Raphaelle Peale

Happy Birthday Raphaelle Peale!! Son of Charles Peale, this American painter was born in 1774. He and his brothers were given Artists’ namesakes: Raphael, Rembrandt and Titian. Following in their father’s footsteps, who was a portrait painter; both Raphaelle and Rembrandt were also painters. While Rembrandt was a “traditional” portrait painter, Raphael displays his talent in a more unusual painting entitled After the Bath. Behind the hanging towel or sheet, we can barely make out a bit of an arm and an ankle of a girl, probably nude, drying her hair. The towel is a startling contrast to the dark background and draped realistically on the line; resembling a caftan or kimono. Unfortunately Raphaelle did not pursue his art as much vigorously as his father and brother, a few still life paintings and the one mentioned here are all we have from him.