Harriet Cany, a pupil of Rembrandt Peale, worked in her family's fancy goods business prior to marrying Peale on November 6, 1840. Earlier that year she had exhibited a painting at the Artists' Fund Society for the first time. She is listed as an exhibitor at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts in 1848, 1849, 1850, 1865, and 1866. She was, however, more prolific than these few exhibitions would indicate. Harriet shared Rembrandt's love of art. On October 22, 1846, she wrote to Anna Sellers that "You must imagine us, occupied precisely as you left us, always most happy when our pencils are in hand...." (Peale‑Sellers Collection, American Philosophical Society, Philadelphia).