Peter F. Rothermel
Encyclopedia
Peter Frederick Rothermel (July 8, 1817 – August 15, 1895) was an American
painter.
, Pennsylvania
in 1817, although some date his birth earlier, in 1813 or 1814. He had a common-school education, and studied land surveying. At age 20, he moved to Philadelphia and became a sign painter. Then at age 22, he took up the study of art. He was instructed in drawing by John Rubens Smith
, and subsequently became a pupil of Bass Otis
in Philadelphia.
His 1844 work De Soto discovering the Mississippi was purchased by the Art Union and marked his first success as an artist. He served as vice president of the Artists' Fund Society in 1844 and as director of the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts from 1847 to 1855.
During 1856-1859 he was in Europe
, residing for about two years in Rome
, and visiting also the principal cities in England
, France
, Germany
, Belgium
, and Italy
. On his return to the United States
, he settled in Philadelphia again, and was elected a member of the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts.
He specialized in portraits and dramatic historical paintings. His most famous paintings include Patrick Henry before the Virginia House of Burgesses (1851) and a massive oil painting of the Battle of Gettysburg
(finished in 1871) that hangs in the State Museum of Pennsylvania
. This latter work was commissioned by Gettysburg lawyer David McConaughy
. Another of his more popular historical works is Columbus Before the Queen, painted in 1844.
In 1877, he moved from Philadelphia to “Grassmere,” his country home near Linfield, Pennsylvania
, where he resided until his death. His estate still exists today on Limerick Center Road it is now a residential site. Rothermel's son, Peter F. Rothermel, Jr., was District Attorney
of Philadelphia.
Besides those mentioned, other works of Rothermel include:
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
painter.
Biography
Rothermel was born in NescopeckNescopeck, Pennsylvania
Nescopeck is a borough in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 1,528 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Nescopeck is located at ....
, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
in 1817, although some date his birth earlier, in 1813 or 1814. He had a common-school education, and studied land surveying. At age 20, he moved to Philadelphia and became a sign painter. Then at age 22, he took up the study of art. He was instructed in drawing by John Rubens Smith
John Rubens Smith
John Rubens Smith was a London-born painter, printmaker and art instructor who worked in the United States.-Biography:...
, and subsequently became a pupil of Bass Otis
Bass Otis
Bass Otis , was an early American artist, inventor, and portrait painter. He painted hundreds of portraits including many of the best known Americans of his day, and produced the first American lithograph in 1819....
in Philadelphia.
His 1844 work De Soto discovering the Mississippi was purchased by the Art Union and marked his first success as an artist. He served as vice president of the Artists' Fund Society in 1844 and as director of the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts from 1847 to 1855.
During 1856-1859 he was in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
, residing for about two years in Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
, and visiting also the principal cities in England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
, and Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
. On his return to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, he settled in Philadelphia again, and was elected a member of the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts.
He specialized in portraits and dramatic historical paintings. His most famous paintings include Patrick Henry before the Virginia House of Burgesses (1851) and a massive oil painting of the Battle of Gettysburg
Battle of Gettysburg
The Battle of Gettysburg , was fought July 1–3, 1863, in and around the town of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. The battle with the largest number of casualties in the American Civil War, it is often described as the war's turning point. Union Maj. Gen. George Gordon Meade's Army of the Potomac...
(finished in 1871) that hangs in the State Museum of Pennsylvania
State Museum of Pennsylvania
The State Museum of Pennsylvania is a non-profit museum at 300 North Street in downtown Harrisburg, run by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania through the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission to preserve and interpret the region's history and culture. It is a part of the Pennsylvania State...
. This latter work was commissioned by Gettysburg lawyer David McConaughy
David McConaughy
David McConaughy was a noted attorney, cemetery president, and civic leader in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, as well as a part-time intelligence officer for the Union Army during the American Civil War. He was a driving force behind the creation of the Gettysburg National Cemetery following the Battle...
. Another of his more popular historical works is Columbus Before the Queen, painted in 1844.
In 1877, he moved from Philadelphia to “Grassmere,” his country home near Linfield, Pennsylvania
Linfield, Pennsylvania
Linfield is an unincorporated village, part of Limerick Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. It is located approximately 35 miles north-west of Philadelphia, along the Schuylkill River....
, where he resided until his death. His estate still exists today on Limerick Center Road it is now a residential site. Rothermel's son, Peter F. Rothermel, Jr., was District Attorney
District attorney
In many jurisdictions in the United States, a District Attorney is an elected or appointed government official who represents the government in the prosecution of criminal offenses. The district attorney is the highest officeholder in the jurisdiction's legal department and supervises a staff of...
of Philadelphia.
Other works
- Christabel
- Katherine and Petruchio
- De Soto discovering the Mississippi (1844)
- Embarkation of Columbus
- Christian Martyrs in the Colisseum
- a series of paintings illustrative of William H. Prescott's History of the Conquest of Mexico (about 1850)
- The Virtuoso (1855)
- Vandyke and Rubens (1856)
- King Lear (1856)
- St. Agnes (1858)
- Paul at Ephesus
- Paul before Agrippa
- St. Paul preaching on Mars Hill to the Athenians
- Trial of Sir Henry Vane
- The Landsknecht (1876)
- Bacchantes (1884)