The Selected Papers of Charles Willson Peale and His Family: Volume 3, The Belfield Farm Years, 1810-1820

The third volume in this series continues the story of the talented and fascinating Peale family, focusing on Charles Willson Peale's years at Belfield Farm and the varied activities of his maturing children. Arranged chronologically and accompanied by introductory essays and annotations, the documents illuminate not only Peale's personality, ideas, art, and activities but also the art and culture of the United States during the early stages of its development. Peale's idyllic retreat outside of Philadelphia afforded many opportunities for him to experiment in mechanics, landscape gardening, and art. On his farm he created windmills, waterwheels, and new ploughs to improve agricultural labour and he created a lovely garden that became famous throughout Philadelphia. New techniques learned from hs son Rembrandt stimulated him to return to painting and resulted in some of his most interesting portraits and landscapes. Belfield's tranquil atmosphere encouraged him to write, in particular the lengthy Essay to Promote Domestic Happiness. Despite Peale's retirement from the management of the Philadelphia Museum, he continued to be involved in its problems and development. And during this fruitful period he also attended to the needs of his children - Raphaelle's professional difficulties and economic problems, Rembrandt's Baltimore Museum and artistic ambitions, Linnacus's pursuit of military adventures, Titian Ramsay's desire to explore the western wilderness, and his younger sons' and daughters' education.