Charles Willson Peale considered this genial yet intense self-portrait a "faithful likeness." He purposely illuminated his features and silver hair against the dark crimson curtain to convey the inspiration and enlightened educational ideals that guided him in founding the museum he established on the second floor of Philadelphia's Independence Hall.

He also wished to represent "the effect of the perspective in the long room" in order to document the Peale Museum's expansive main gallery. To his left at ceiling height is a glimpse of the portrait gallery and a gas-lighting fixture, while below, the artist has depicted several natural-science specimens.