Benjamin West
Benjamin West was an American-born history painter who lived from 1738 to 1820. West is most known for his large-scale historical paintings and as one of the founders and second president of the prestigious Royal Academy of Art in London, England.
West was born in Springfield, Pennsylvania when it was still part of the British colonies. He was the tenth child of a relatively low-income family. As a young child, West said that Native Americans first taught him how to make paint. He would watch as they made paint using riverbank clay and bear grease. For the rest of his artistic education West taught himself.
West’s early career was commissioned portraits. In 1756, after a suggestion from a patron, West painted “Death of Socrates”. This was his first large-scale history painting and garnered West more patrons. West soon became friends with the English artist, John Wollaston, from whom he learned a few techniques. In 1763, West traveled to England. Though it was meant to be only a short trip, he never returned home. In England, West befriended the famous artists of the day. He was affectionately known as the “American Raphael”. King George III became a patron of West. He was such an admirer of his work that soon after, he appointed West as the court’s historical painter. A feat for a man who could barely spell.
West called his large-scale history paintings “epic representations”. He sought to represent his subjects in their most beautiful and perfect forms. West painted his subjects with slightly almond shaped eyes, which was popular at the time and the style enjoyed by his patrons. In 1792, West became the second president of the Royal Academy of Arts in London after the death of Joshua Reynolds. He had many famous pupils, including the American portrait artist, Gilbert Stuart. West was so respected for his art that he was offered a knighthood by the British Crown, which he turned down. Benjamin West died peacefully at home in London, England at the age of 81. He was buried inside of St Paul’s Cathedral.
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