150 Mrs. Joseph Grove John Bend (Elizabeth Bordley Polk-Claypoole), 1770-1831). The daughter of Elizabeth Digby Peale and Captain Robert Polk, Elizabeth was reared by her uncle Charles Willson Peale in a household of artists. Indeed, this miniature was done by her first cousin Anna Claypoole Peale, daughter of Charles Willson Peale's younger brother James. At the age of 17, Elizabeth married Septimus Claypoole, a Philadelphia publisher, and after his death in 1798, she became the second wife of Joseph Grove John Bend in 1807. Miniatures were an important way for early nineteenth century people of moderate means to preserve the memory of family members. This watercolor on ivory almost looks like an oil painting, so skilled was the artist in portraying the delicate lines of the lace. Miniature about 1820. MdHi
