Rachel Weeping 1776

Charles Willson Peale painted "Rachel Weeping" in America around the turn of the 19th century. It shows a mother grieving over her child, a scene laden with personal and social meaning. In the late 1700s, the United States was a new nation grappling with its identity. Death, especially child mortality, was a common experience, and this painting reflects the emotional realities of the time. Peale, known for his portraits of prominent figures, here turns his attention to a more intimate, domestic tragedy. The mother's sorrow is palpable, and the image creates meaning through visual codes and cultural references related to mourning. This work provides insight into the social conditions that shaped artistic production in early America. It is through studying documents, letters, and other period sources that one begins to get a better understanding of the cultural context of this compelling image.