Mrs. Samuel Mifflin and Her Granddaughter Rebecca Mifflin Francis 1777 - 1780

Charles Willson Peale painted Mrs. Samuel Mifflin and Her Granddaughter Rebecca Mifflin Francis, sometime around 1790, using oil on canvas. This work speaks volumes about the roles and expectations of women in late 18th century America. Peale, a patriot and portraitist, captures the matriarchal lineage through the image of a grandmother and granddaughter. There’s a focus here on domesticity and education, symbolized by the book they share. It subtly suggests the passing down of knowledge and values from one generation of women to the next. The clothing details indicate the family's wealth and status, but also the constraints placed on women of this era, whose identities were often closely tied to their family roles. Peale's approach to portraiture often aimed to capture the character and intellect of his sitters. Here, both figures exude a quiet dignity. The painting serves as a poignant reflection on the bonds between women and the importance of familial heritage.