A. T. Kerr, Esquire 1798

James Peale painted this watercolor on ivory miniature of A. T. Kerr, Esquire, during his time as a portraitist in the United States. Peale was part of an important family of artists. His older brother, Charles Willson Peale, founded one of the first museums in the United States, which aimed to educate the public about natural history and art. James Peale also established his own museum later in life. Kerr's elegant attire is meant to communicate his wealth and status within the emerging republic. The miniature format itself speaks to the intimacy and personal nature of portraiture during this period, often worn as jewelry or kept as keepsakes. Understanding this portrait requires diving into the Peale family's history, the development of art institutions in the U.S., and the social structures of the time. By consulting period documents, biographies, and exhibition catalogues, we can gain a richer understanding of this artwork.