Letter to F.C. Sessions of Columbus, Ohio from Paul Peel of Paris

In this brief letter, artist Paul Peel writes to Francis C. Sessions of Columbus, Ohio to thank Sessions for his encouragement. Peel shares that he has won an award and is working on another painting.

Francis Sessions was a successful dry goods merchant in Columbus, who prospered in the wholesale wool business, invested in railroads, and eventually became founder and president of the Commercial National Bank. Francis married Mary Johnson on August 18, 1847. Mary was daughter of one of Worthington's founders, Orange Johnson and wife Achsa (Maynard) Johnson. The Sessions were interested in promoting art and art instruction in Columbus. The Sessions art collection formed a basis for the Columbus Museum of Art collection. Francis planned upon his death for his estate to found the Sessions Academy of Fine Arts and museum to foster art education in Columbus.

Paul Peel was a Canadian artist born in London, Ontario. He won a medal at the Paris Salon in 1890 for his painting "After the Bath." Peel died two years after this letter was written in 1892 at the age of 32. His painting "A Country Boy and His Dog Among the Daisies" was bequeathed to the Columbus Museum of Art by Francis C. Sessions.