Faces of Independence
A look into the faces who shaped American history through the historic portraits at Independence National Historical Park
ReadCharles Wilson Peale (1741-1827) by Charles Wilson Peale, self portrait, c.1795 (1795) by PEALE, CHARLES WILLSONIndependence National Historical Park, National Park Service
Charles Willson Peale (1741-1827)
During the Revolution and early years of the Republic, Peale painted over 600 portraits, nearly 300 of which hung in his Philadelphia Museum. When the museum moved to the Pennsylvania State House in 1802, it exhibited paintings, natural history specimens, and scientific pursuits.
John Adams (1735-1826) by Charles Wilson Peale, from Life, c.1791-1794 (1791/1794) by PEALE, CHARLES WILLSONIndependence National Historical Park, National Park Service
John Adams (1735-1826)
A delegate at the First and Second Continental Congresses, Adams led the movement to declare independence. He later served as Washington's Vice President and became the second President of the United States.
Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) by Charles Wilson Peale, from life, 1791-1792 (1791/1792) by PEALE, CHARLES WILLSONIndependence National Historical Park, National Park Service
Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826)
At the Second Continental Congress, Jefferson drafted the Declaration of Independence. He later became America's Foreign Minister to France, second Vice President, and third President.
Although their age difference was only eight years, Adams regarded himself as the experienced elder statesman and Jefferson the distinguished young scholar. Peale captured this with the contrast of Adams’ balding head and carefully styled curls with Jefferson’s thick, unruly red hair. Adams and Jefferson both died on July 4, 1826.
Alexander Hamilton (1755-1804) (1790/1795) by PEALE, CHARLES WILLSONIndependence National Historical Park, National Park Service
Alexander Hamilton (1755-1804)
During the Revolution, Hamilton quickly gained Washington's attention and became his aide-de-camp before leading a regimental command that succeeded at the Battle of Yorktown. He later became Secretary of the Treasury and founded the First Bank of the United States.
Frederick William Augustus, Baron Von Steuben (1730-1794) by Charles Wilson Peale, after Charles Wilson Peale, 1781-1782 (1781/1782) by PEALE, CHARLES WILLSON AFTER CHARLES WILLSON PEALEIndependence National Historical Park, National Park Service
Frederick William Augustus, Baron von Steuben (1730-1794)
Born in Germany, von Steuben entered the Prussian army's officer corps during the Seven Years War. In 1777 he offered his military service to the colonies, joining the encampment at Valley Forge and later preparing America's first official military manual.
John Paul Jones (1741-1792) by Charles Wilson Peale, from life, c. 1781-1784 (1781/1784) by PEALE, CHARLES WILLSONIndependence National Historical Park, National Park Service
John Paul Jones (1741-1792)
Celebrated as the father of the American Navy, Jones was a fearless naval commander and a swashbuckling opportunist, earning fame on two continents. His dashing appearance projects his charismatic personality, one of flair and defiance.
Henry Knox (1750-1806) by Charles Wilson Peale, from life, c. 1784 (1784) by PEALE, CHARLES WILLSONIndependence National Historical Park, National Park Service
Henry Knox (1750-1806)
Born in Boston, Knox enlisted in the British Army and served during the Boston Massacre. Though once the Revolution started, he quickly became an advisor to Washington. He is known for capturing British Artillery at Fort Ticonderoga and the was country's first Secretary of War.
Peale's attention to and familiarity of military and ornamental decorations are evident in his portraits of military members. Uniform decorations and medals include Jones' French Military Cross of the Institution of Military Merit, von Steuben's Order of Fidelity of Baden, and Knox's Society of the Cincinnati medals.
Nathanael Green (1742-1786) by Charles Wilson Peale, from life, 1783 (1783) by PEALE, CHARLES WILLSONIndependence National Historical Park, National Park Service
Nathanael Greene (1742-1786)
Within two years of joining the Army, Greene became Quartermaster General and successfully saved Charleston and Savannah from British occupation.
Henry Laurens (1724-1792) by Charles Wilson Peale, from life, c.1784 (1784) by PEALE, CHARLES WILLSONIndependence National Historical Park, National Park Service
Henry Laurens (1724-1792)
During the Revolution, Laurens acted as the Foreign Minister to Holland but was captured by the British on his journey across the Atlantic. He was imprisoned at the Tower of London until 1781 when he was exchanged for British General Lord Cornwallis.
John Laurens (1754-1782) by Charles Wilson Peale, from a miniature after Charles Willson Peale, c. 1784 (1784) by PEALE, CHARLES WILLSON AFTER CHARLES WILLSON PEALEIndependence National Historical Park, National Park Service
John Laurens (1754-1782)
John Laurens became Washington's aide-de-camp in the fall of 1777. He fought with the Continental Army at Brandywine and Germantown and wintered at Valley Forge. After assisting Franklin in France, he returned to the Army until he was killed at Combahee Ferry in South Carolina.
At the untimely death of his son John, Henry Laurens commissioned several miniature portraits and gave them to his son’s friends as memorials. The tiny portraits (each less than two inches wide) were easily carried by their owners, keeping lost loved ones always close. This miniature bears the Latin motto, "Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori" ("It is a sweet and honorable thing to die for one's country").
Joseph Brant/ Thayendanegea (1742-1807) by Charles Wilson Peale, from life, 1797 (1797) by PEALE, CHARLES WILLSONIndependence National Historical Park, National Park Service
Joseph Brant/Thayendanegea (1742-1807)
During the Revolution, Brant earned a reputation as ruthless commander captaining Native Americans and white Loyalists. After the war, he repeatedly tried to negotiate peace between the United States and the Indian Confederacy.
Robert Fulton (1765-1815) by Charles Wilson Peale, from life, 1807 (1807) by PEALE, CHARLES WILLSONIndependence National Historical Park, National Park Service
Robert Fulton (1765-1815)
Known for his tireless ingenuity, Fulton combined technology and art into a successful engineering career. In 1807 he piloted a steamboat from New York to Albany (and back) in 62 hours. Peale was able to capture his confidence and self-satisfaction in Fulton's challenging gaze.
Meriweather Lewis (1774-1809) by Charles Wilson Peale, from life, 1807 (1807) by PEALE, CHARLES WILLSONIndependence National Historical Park, National Park Service
Meriwether Lewis (1774-1809)
Because of his knowledge of mathematics, astronomy, and surveying, Jefferson appointed Lewis to lead an expedition across the Northwest Territory. As the leader of the expedition, he chose William Clark as his fellow officer.
William Clark (1770-1838) by Charles Wilson Peale, from life, 1807-1808 (1807/1808) by PEALE, CHARLES WILLSONIndependence National Historical Park, National Park Service
William Clark (1770-1838)
After serving as a lieutenant under General Anthony Wayne in the Northwest Territory, Clark spent years as a merchant in the Mississippi River transport trade. After reconnecting with Meriwether Lewis, the pair sought to find a navigable water passage to the Pacific Ocean.
Fellow Virginians and soldiers, their frontier survival skills and personal ambition made Lewis and Clark the ideal explorers of America’s unknown West. Clark’s engaging personality often contrasted with Lewis’ detached attitude, a situation that complicated their working relationship.
Charles Thomson (1729-1824) by Charles Wilson Peale, from life, 1819 (1819) by PEALE, CHARLES WILLSONIndependence National Historical Park, National Park Service
Charles Thomson (1729-1824)
Thomson served as the Secretary for Congress from 1774-1789. He wrote letters and authenticated documents with the Great Seal of the United States, the official symbol designed primarily by him.
Timothy Matlack ( about 1735-1829) by Charles Wilson Peale, from life, 1826 (1826) by PEALE, CHARLES WILLSONIndependence National Historical Park, National Park Service
Timothy Matlack (about 1735-1829)
In the spring of 1775, Matlack became the Clerk of the Continental Congress and later penned the formal copy of the Declaration of Independence, now known as the "Engrossed Copy".
Charles Willson Peale painted portraits of his lifelong friends when they all were advanced in age - Matlack and Thomson in their early 90s, Peale in his late 70s/early80s. Peale details wrinkles, gray hair, and balding heads to record his subjects’ appearance and to honor their longevity.
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Peale's Philadelphia Museum relocated out of the Pennsylvania State House, now Independence Hall, in 1827. The portrait collection was sold at auction in 1854. The City of Philadelphia purchased several portraits, now on display at the Second Bank of the United States.
