Benjamin West Oil Painting Reproductions

Benjamin West Religious Paintings

Benjamin West was born in 1738 in Springfield, Pennsylvania.  West is recognized for his famous Historical paintings and Religious Art.  West's visit to Italy was achieved with the financial assistance of a  wealthy patron. He was inspired by oil paintings by Raphael and Titian and spent much of his time recreating famous Renaissance paintings.  Museum and Gallery At Bob Jones University owns several of West's large religious paintings, including The Progress of Revealed Religion, commissioned by King George III.  St. Peter Preaching at the Pentecost by Benjamin West was painted in 1785 and is part of the Bob Jones University collection. Joshua Passing the River Jordan with the Ark of the Covenant was acquired by The Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia, in 1970. 

Benjamin West Historical Paintings

West's large-scale painting, The Death of General Wolf, was painted in 1700 and exhibited at the Royal Academy the following year.  This painting is held by the National Gallery of Canada in Ottawa.  It is the most famous Benjamin West historical painting.  West's large canvas paintings were labeled "epic representations." They include oil paintings like The Battle of the Boyne in 1778 and The Death of Nelson in 1806. West's oil painting of the death of Nelson is located at the House of Lords in London.  The painting was completed after Nelson's death at the Battle of Trafalgar, and West exhibited it in his Studio, where 30,000 visitors had seen it in a short time.

Founders of the Royal Academy, London.

1763 saw West traveling to England, where he gained Royal patronage and became the historical painter to the Court of King George III.  Along with other eminent artists of the time, Benjamin West became one of the founding members of the Royal Academy in London.  Sir Joshua Reynolds was its first President, and in 1792 West became the 2nd President of the Academy. 

The Royal Academy in London was founded 250 years ago. The original promises were just 30ft long and located on Pall Mall. The Academy moved to Somerset House, and after a spell of sharing premises with the National Gallery, it moved to its current home at Burlington House.  Thanks to skillful negotiations by its then President, a 999 year Lease was agreed at just £1.

Who is Benjamin West?

He was one of 10 children and the son of an Innkeeper. It is said that Native Americans taught him to mix paint, and he was self-taught.  By age 20, Benjamin West was making his name as a portrait artist. The artist was acquainted with Benjamin Franklin. Franklin is depicted in his 1816 painting, Benjamin Franklin Drawing Electricity from the Sky. This painting is on display at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. In 1820 Benjamin West died at the age of 81 at his house in London, and he is buried at St. Paul's Cathedral.

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