WEST Benjamin (West Benjamin)

(1738-1820)
Lived and worked in England. Born October 10, 1738 at Swarthmore (pc. Pennsylvania). As a young man trying to do portrait painting. In 1760 went to Italy and was there three years, moved to London, where his work enjoyed great success. In 1768 West was one of four artists, who were instructed to develop a plan of the Royal Academy of Arts. In 1792 he was elected to a second, after Reynolds, president of the Academy. In 1772, West received the position of court painter.
Perhaps the most vivid embodiment of realistic painting of West's motives appeared in the film Death of General Wolfe (ca. 1771, Ottawa, National Gallery of Canada), in which the usual neo-classical art of ancient robes characters are replaced with real historical costumes. Most of West's works created at the request of George III. West had a significant influence on such American painters as Gilbert Stuart, Thomas Sully and S. F. B. Morse. West died in London in 1820.