In 1848, Ames traveled to Rome, where he painted a portrait of Pope Pius IX that was featured at the National Academy of Design's annual exhibition in 1850. When he returned from Italy he was commissioned by Rufus Choate, Daniel Webster, and Abraham Lincoln. He kept a studio in Boston in Amory Hall (ca.1849), and later on Tremont Street (ca.1856), and then on Summer Street.
In 1848, Ames traveled to Rome where he painted a portrait of Pope Pius IX which was displayed at the National Academy of Design's annual exhibition in 1850. Upon his return from Italy, he received commissions from Rufus Choate, Daniel Webster, and Abraham Lincoln. He maintained studios in Boston, first at Amory Hall (circa 1849), then on Tremont Street (circa 1856), and finally on Summer Street.