Benjamin West (1738-1820), History painter and President of the Royal Academy
Sitter associated with 43 portraits
Artist associated with 39 portraits
The American artist Benjamin West settled in London in 1763 where he became successful as a portraitist and history painter. His painting of The Death of General Wolfe (1770-71), was particularly innovative in its use of classical conventions of history painting to portray a modern event. West succeeded Sir Joshua Reynolds as President of the Royal Academy from 1792 to 1820.
by Angelica Kauffmann
black chalk on greenish grey paper, 1763
On display in Room 16 at the National Portrait Gallery
NPG 1649
The Academicians of the Royal Academy
by John Sanders, after Johan Joseph Zoffany
watercolour and ink, (1772)
NPG 1437
Key to 'The Academicians of the Royal Academy'
by John Sanders, after Johan Joseph Zoffany
pencil, circa 1773
NPG 1437a
by Gilbert Stuart
oil on canvas, 1785
On display in Room 19 at the National Portrait Gallery
NPG 349
by Sir Francis Leggatt Chantrey
marble bust, 1818
NPG 607
by Charles Hutton Lear
pencil, circa 1845
NPG 1456(26)
by Unknown artist
engraving, 18th century
NPG D37701
by D.P. Pariset, published by and after Pierre-Étienne Falconet
stipple engraving, 1768
NPG D20191
by Jonathan Spilsbury
mezzotint, late 18th century
NPG D4742
The Academicians of the Royal Academy
by Richard Earlom, after Johan Joseph Zoffany
mezzotint, published 1773
NPG D21304
by Georg Siegmund Facius, by Johann Gottlieb Facius, after Benjamin West
stipple engraving, published 1779
NPG D13826
by Caroline Watson, published by John Boydell, published by Josiah Boydell, after Gilbert Stuart
stipple engraving, published 1786 (circa 1785)
NPG D37694
by Caroline Watson, after Gilbert Stuart
stipple engraving, published 1786 (circa 1785)
NPG D37695
by Caroline Watson, published by John Boydell, published by Josiah Boydell, after Gilbert Stuart
stipple engraving, published 1786 (circa 1785)
NPG D19926
'Titianus Redivivus; - or - the seven-wise-men consulting the new Venetian oracle'
by James Gillray, published by Hannah Humphrey
hand-coloured etching, published 2 November 1797
NPG D13085
by and published by Thomas Holloway, after Benjamin West
engraving, published 25 April 1798
NPG D37692
by and published by Thomas Holloway, after Benjamin West
engraving, published 25 April 1798
NPG D37693
by and published by Thomas Holloway, after Benjamin West
engraving, published 25 April 1798
NPG D37696
by Thomas Holloway, after Benjamin West
line engraving, published 1798
NPG D8266
All paintings by this artist on the BBC Your Paintings website
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