Benjamin West: 6 works

'West was born in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, in 1738, when the American colonies were still part of the British Empire, and became an renowned history painter and the second president of England's Royal Academy of Arts. While in London, West befriended Franklin, a fellow Pennsylvanian, but did not render this likeness of the celebrated scientist and American statesman until after his death, creating it as a study for a larger, unrealized portrait that he planned to give to Pennsylvania Hospital, an institution Franklin founded in Philadelphia.'

'After several years in Italy, West had established himself in London as the leading painter of subjects from classical history. His example, and the Academy's teaching, encouraged numerous young British artists to study in Italy.'

'West, like many artists of the time, often turned to plays to illustrate contemporary social issues, especially as public theater became increasingly popular in the United States in the late 18th century. A famous 1753 staging of Romeo and Juliet was likely responsible for West's initial interest in this play, but the theme of star-crossed lovers also evokes the brewing tensions between Britain and the United States at the dawn of the Revolutionary War.'

'West's generation typically drew to establish designs for paintings.'

'Academicians like West were attracted to Shakespeare, not only for the enormous visual potential offered by his dramatic subjects but for nationalistic associations with great English literature. West's picture, illustrating Act 4, Scene 5 from "Hamlet," was painted for a large speculative project organized in London in the 1790s.'

'Nelson's death at the Battle of Trafalgar in October 1805 led to an outpouring of commemorative paintings and monuments and Benjamin West saw the event as an opportunity to revive his career, which had been under a cloud. Taking portraits from the life of many officers who had served in the battle, he painted this large canvas in a matter of months and displayed it in his house, where large crowds gathered to see it.'