In 1760, sponsored by both Dr. Smith and the wealthy William Allen, West travelled to Italy, where he improved his skills by copying the works of famous European painters. He then moved to England, where he was chosen by George III to create portraits of the royal family. In 1768, he founded the Royal Academy of Arts, and shortly thereafter, he painted his most famous work, The Death of General Wolfe, which, though originally snubbed by other members of the art world, soon became one of the most frequently reproduced images of the time. Within the year, he was appointed historical painter to the British Court, and in 1792 he was elected president of the Royal Academy of the Arts, a position that he kept until his death in 1820. During his life, he was close friends with Benjamin Franklin, and toward the end of his career he tutored many aspiring American artists, including Rembrandt Peale, Thomas Sully, and Gilbert Stuart.
Born. | |
Worked as a portaitist in Pennasylvania. | |
Painted a work based on the engraving 'Death of Socrates.' | |
Travelled to Italy. | |
Moved to England and painted portraits of the royal family. | |
Founded the Royal Academy of the Arts. | |
Painted The Death of General Wolfe. | |
Was appointed historical painter to the British royal court. | |
Served as second president of the Royal Academy in London. | |
Died. |
Our First Great Painter in | Fifty Famous People by James Baldwin |
How Benny West Learned to be a Painter in | Stories of Great Americans for Little Americans by Edward Eggleston |
Image Links | ||
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Benjamin West as a boy in Fifty Famous People |
Painting Baby's Portrait in Stories of Great Americans for Little Americans |
Benjamin West's picture of Penn's Treaty in Heroes of Progress in America |
Benjamin West in Four American Inventors |
Statesman, publisher, inventor, and non-conformist. Founding father, and benefactor of Philadelphia. | |
Monarch whose long reign encompassed Revolutionary, and Napoleonic Wars. |