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Francis Scott Key, by DeWitt Clinton Peters, 1902. Oil on canvas. 30 5/64 x 25 in. (76.4 x 63.5 cm.) Maryland Historical Society, Accession: 1952-15-10.
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Unknown woman, by DeWitt Clinton Peters, 1896. Oil on canvas. 25 45/64 x 18 7/64 in. (65.3 x 46 cm.) Maryland Historical Society, Accession: 1985-60.
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Louise Este Fisher (Mrs. William A. Fisher), by DeWitt Clinton Peters, 1900. Oil on canvas. 40 x 32 3/64 in. (101.6 x 81.4 cm.) Maryland Historical Society, Accession: 1983-20.
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Medium/Discipline: Painting, Works on Paper
Birthplace: Baltimore, Maryland
Place of Death: Newtown, Connecticut
Maryland Affiliation: Born here, Depicts Maryland subjects, Active while in residence
Prominent Theme: Portraits
Active Dates and Place: Paris, France; Baltimore, Maryland; New York City, New York
Places of Residence: Paris, France; Baltimore, Maryland; New York City, New York; Newtown, Connecticut
Gender: Male
Race/Ethnicity: White
Biography: DeWitt Clinton Peters, the son of a surgeon in the U.S. Army, was born in Baltimore in 1865. He was primarily a portrait painter and illustrator whose career began with art education at the Art Students League and the National Academy of Design in New York City. At age 21 in 1886, he traveled to Paris to continue his training at the renowned Ecole des Beaux Arts. Throughout his 10-year residence in Paris, he trained under Jean-Léon Gérôme (1824-1904) and exhibited frequently, winning a medal at the Paris Salon in 1888 and the international art juried French Exposition Universale in 1889, both for a portrait of Dr. George J. Bull of Paris. He also won a bronze medal at the Paris Exposition in 1889. Peters returned to America in 1896 and set up a studio in Baltimore in early 1897. One of his most "notable and popular" pictures (Maryland Institute Gallery, p. 59) is Les Pierrots owned by the Crescent Club of Baltimore. The work was photographed and the photographs distributed throughout the world. The height of Peters' renown was in the mid-1890s after he settled in Baltimore and worked prolifically on portraits. His portraits featured as subject Sr. D. C. Gilman, President of the Johns Hopkins University and other prominent Baltimoreans. In Baltimore, he was an early member of the artists' group Charcoal Club. Peters eventually opened a studio in New York City with Philip Boileau.
Education/Training: Art Students League, New York City; National Academy of Design, New York City; Julien Academy, Paris; Ecole des Beaux Arts, Paris
Taught By: Gérôme, Jean-Léon (1824-1904, French); Lefevre; Boulanger, Gustave Clarence Rodolphe (1824-1888, French); Collin, Raphaël (1850-1916, French)
Selected References: Maryland Institute Gallery. Exhibition of Works by American Artists, Maryland Institute Gallery, April 4-30, 1910 (Baltimore: The Gallery), 1910.
J. Hall Pleasants Files at the Maryland Historical Society.
Maryland Institutions Holding Artworks: Maryland Historical Society
Multiple-Artist Exhibitions: Among others: Paris Salon, Paris, France; French Exposition Universale, 1889; Royal Academy of London; Royal Academy of Berlin; Society of American Artists; National Academy of New York
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