West, Benjamin

views updated

West, Benjamin (1738–1820). History and portrait painter. West was born a British subject in Pennsylvania, remaining a loyalist all his life. He learned to paint in America, and studied for three years in Italy before settling in London in 1763. He was a founder member of the Royal Academy, becoming the second president on the death of Reynolds. In 1769 he began a long association with George III when the king commissioned a series of pictures for Buckingham House and, later, several for the state rooms at Windsor castle. In 1772 West was appointed historical painter to the king, but he refused a knighthood. His Death of Wolfe (1771), described by Reynolds as revolutionary, broke with the tradition of painting heroes in classical costume and showed contemporary dress.

June Cochrane

More From encyclopedia.com

About this article

West, Benjamin

Updated About encyclopedia.com content Print Article

Related Content

NEARBY TERMS

West, Benjamin