Anna Peale Signed Miniature Portrait of a Gentleman

Anna Peale (Pennsylvania, 1791-1878) miniature watercolor portrait in a 14K case depicting a dark haired gentleman attired in a black 19th century style suit coat and necktie. Signed and dated along the lower left edge "Mrs. Staughton 1832". Housed under glass in a 14K gold case (tested) with repousse foliate border and rose gold accents to front and a polished gold backing. Sight - 2 5/8" H x 2 1/4" W. Frame - 3 3/8" H x 2 1/2" W. Gross weight of 74.5 grams. Provenance: Found in Arkansas. Note: This portrait was signed after Anna Peale's marriage to William Staughton. Biography (Adapted from AskArt, from a biography by Jean E. Schatz) Anna Claypoole Peale (Philadelphia, 1791-1864) was the daughter of James Peale and Mary Chambers Claypoole, one of six children. Her formal education is unknown but she received an invitation from portrait painter Thomas Sully to attend a series of "anatomical lectures as relating to the arts". At fourteen years of age Anna copied a painting by Vernet and sold it at auction for a good price. Her father urged her to become a portrait painter and she studied with him, specializing in portrait miniatures. In 1818 and 1819, Anna traveled to Washington with her elderly uncle, Charles Willson Peale and he noted her ability to easily obtain commissions for portraits. After 1819, she divided her career between Philadelphia and Baltimore. In August 1829, Anna married the Reverend William Staughton in Philadelphia. En route to Kentucky where he was to be President of a new Baptist institution, Georgetown College, Staughton became ill and later died in December 12, 1829. Anna married again in 1841 to a Philadelphia philanthropist, retired Brigadier George William Duncan.
Condition Report: Painting in overall very good condition. Some minor nicks to glass at center and slight scratching to left lower quadrant of glass. The polished gold backing appears to have had a recessed glass covered compartment for a locket of hair; glass cover is now missing.