6 OF 43 
Benjamin West
6 of 43 portraits of Benjamin West
Benjamin West
by Sir Francis Leggatt Chantrey
marble bust, 1818
25 1/2 in. (648 mm) high
Purchased, 1880
Primary Collection
NPG 607
Click on the links below to find out more:
Sitterback to top
- Benjamin West (1738-1820), History painter and President of the Royal Academy. Sitter associated with 43 portraits, Artist associated with 39 portraits.
Artistback to top
- Sir Francis Leggatt Chantrey (1781-1841), Sculptor. Artist associated with 266 portraits, Sitter in 11 portraits.
This portraitback to top
Marble bust, signed and dated 1818, commissioned by Sir Simon Clarke; another version was given by Chantrey to the Royal Academy as his Diploma work.
The loose drapery worn by West in this portrait is reminiscent of ancient Greek and Roman sculpture. Neo-classical sculpture of this kind was very popular in the eighteenth-century, as Greece and Rome were regarded as the cradles of civilisation.
Linked publicationsback to top
- Saywell, David; Simon, Jacob, Complete Illustrated Catalogue, 2004, p. 654
- Walker, Richard, Regency Portraits, 1985, p. 544
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