AN EARLY 19TH CENTURY BRITISH/AMERICAN SCHOOL OIL ON PAPER L...
AN EARLY 19TH CENTURY BRITISH/AMERICAN SCHOOL OIL ON PAPER LAID TO BOARD
Portrait of Sir Benjamin West, PRA, 1738 - 1820, in his studio with model, held in giltwood frame.
(sight 14.5cm x 18cm, frame 22.5cm x 25.5cm)
Provenance: Christie’s stencil verso
N.B. born in Pennsylvania, with the support of local patrons Benjamin West became the first American artist to ever study art in Italy. When he reached London in 1763, he quickly established himself and within five years was appointed a Charter Member of the newly established Royal Academy. He would go on to succeed Sir Joshua Reynolds as the second President in 1792.
His reputation in England was secured when he was appointed Official Painter to King George III, and in 1772 was given a residence and a studio at Windsor Castle. Many important American artists studied under West in London, including; Ralph Earl, Samuel Morse, Robert Fulton, Gilbert Stuart, Thomas Sully, Matthew Pratt and Abraham Delanoy.
The present work, depicts West in his studio towards the end of his life. He is seen here wearing the same attire as shown in his last self-portrait of 1819 [ Smithsonian American Art Museum Collection No: 1917.2.3 ] Also of note is the bust seen on a pedestal, left. The same bust can be seen in Matthew Pratt’s 1765 depiction of West’s London studio known as ’The American School’ [The Metropolitan Museum collection No: 97.29.3].
Benjamin West died at his house in Newman Street, London, March 11 1820 and was buried in St. Paul’s Cathedral, London
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AN EARLY 19TH CENTURY BRITISH/AMERICAN SCHOOL OIL ON PAPER LAID TO BOARD
Portrait of Sir Benjamin West, PRA, 1738 - 1820, in his studio with model, held in giltwood frame.
(sight 14.5cm x 18cm, frame 22.5cm x 25.5cm)
Provenance: Christie’s stencil verso
N.B. born in Pennsylvania, with the support of local patrons Benjamin West became the first American artist to ever study art in Italy. When he reached London in 1763, he quickly established himself and within five years was appointed a Charter Member of the newly established Royal Academy. He would go on to succeed Sir Joshua Reynolds as the second President in 1792.
His reputation in England was secured when he was appointed Official Painter to King George III, and in 1772 was given a residence and a studio at Windsor Castle. Many important American artists studied under West in London, including; Ralph Earl, Samuel Morse, Robert Fulton, Gilbert Stuart, Thomas Sully, Matthew Pratt and Abraham Delanoy.
The present work, depicts West in his studio towards the end of his life. He is seen here wearing the same attire as shown in his last self-portrait of 1819 [ Smithsonian American Art Museum Collection No: 1917.2.3 ] Also of note is the bust seen on a pedestal, left. The same bust can be seen in Matthew Pratt’s 1765 depiction of West’s London studio known as ’The American School’ [The Metropolitan Museum collection No: 97.29.3].
Benjamin West died at his house in Newman Street, London, March 11 1820 and was buried in St. Paul’s Cathedral, London
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