Born in Chestertown, Maryland, James Peale, was a trompe l'oeil still-life specialist, known for detail and realistic effect of his paintings. He was also renowned for portraits and miniatures. According to Alfred Rubinstein in his book, "The Reality of Appearance", Peale can be "regarded as the founding father of the Philadelphia still life tradition." He had four daughters and a son, and all of them carried on the painting of still lifes.

He was raised in Annapolis and was the younger brother of Charles Willson Peale, painter, naturalist, and museum curator. Trained as a cabinetmaker, he studied watercolor and oil painting with his brother. During the American Revolution, he served in the Army in the Maryland Regiment and did two ...