Biografie von Edward F. PETICOLAS (1793-c.1853)

Birth place: Pennsylvania

Death place: probably Virginia

Profession: Portrait, miniature & landscape painter

Studied: Thomas Sully, Richmond; England, France, and Italy, 1815-20

Work: Valentine Mus. (Richmond, VA)

Comments: Son of Philippe Abraham Peticolas (see entry). Brought to Richmond (VA) by his parents in 1804. Was taking miniature likenesses there as early as 1807 and, in 1810, was teaching at Mrs. Byrd's School. Began painting in oil during his 1815 trip to Europe. Returned to Virginia in 1820, and soon became Richmond's leading portrait painter. His full-length, grand manner "Portrait of Lafayette" (Valentine Mus.), painted in 1824-25 for the Richmond City Hall, received especially high praise. He made a second trip to Europe about 1825 and a third in 1830-33. After 1840 he suffered from severe rheumatism which led to his giving up painting about 1845. His wife Jane Pitfield Braddick Peticolas was also an artist, as was their son Arthur Edward Peticolas (see entries). Also appears as F. Petticolas Edward.

Sources: G&W; Richmond Portraits, 150-51, 228-30; Swan, BA. More recently, see Gerdts, Art Across America, vol. 2:14-16; P&H Samuels, 370.