Titian Ramsay Peale
(1799-1885)

Think that you may own a painting by Titian Ramsay Peale? We authenticate, appraise, research and issue Certificates of Authenticity (COA) and provide consultations for all paintings by Titian Ramsay Peale.

Titian Ramsay Peale was an American painter, naturalist and entomologist. Peale was the youngest son of a well-known, American naturalist Charles Willson Peale.

Peale lived with his family in Germantown, Pennsylvania, near the city of Philadelphia. Starting at an early age, Peale worked with his father as a naturalist. They went on frequent trips to find rare insects and specimens. The family owned and ran the Peale Museum, which housed historical findings from the Lewis and Clark Expedition.

Peale began his own career by doing illustrations for Thomas Say's American Entomology and Charles Lucen Bonaparte’s American Ornithology. Peale was successful in his work and was rewarded with an appointment to the Academy of Natural Sciences. Along with Thomas Say, George Ord and William Maclure, Peale went on expeditions in Florida and Georgia. Peale continued to explore the Rocky Mountains where he made numerous drawings..

Peale published an important pamphlet known as the Circular of the Philadelphia Museum. The pamphlet contained instructions for the preservation of insects. Peale made many innovations, including an effective method for storing butterflies in sealed cases. Consequently Peale’s collections are currently well preserved. In 1838 Peale was appointed the chief naturalist on a United States Exploring Expedition. The crew collected findings published in the Mammalia and Ornithology report. The report was eventually corrected and re-published. In 1843 Peale sold his museum due to financial troubles and began to work for the U.S. Patent Office as photographer.

Titian Peale’s illustrations and paintings are currently in collections across North America. Do you think you own a Titian Peale? Contact us. We are the Titian Peale experts.