Benjamin West

1 portrait by James Fittler

© National Portrait Gallery, London

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Benjamin West

by and published by James Fittler, after George Henry Harlow
line engraving, published 8 April 1817
21 in. x 15 1/2 in. (533 mm x 393 mm) plate size; 24 in. x 17 3/4 in. (609 mm x 451 mm) paper size
Purchased with help from the Friends of the National Libraries and the Pilgrim Trust, 1966
Reference Collection
NPG D37816

Sitterback to top

  • Benjamin West (1738-1820), History painter and President of the Royal Academy. Sitter associated with 43 portraits, Artist or producer associated with 39 portraits.

Artistsback to top

  • James Fittler (1758-1835), Engraver. Artist or producer associated with 32 portraits.
  • George Henry Harlow (1787-1819), Portrait painter. Artist or producer associated with 81 portraits, Sitter associated with 3 portraits.

Related worksback to top

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Events of 1817back to top

Current affairs

Princess Charlotte, only daughter of George, Prince Regent and Caroline of Brunswick, dies in childbirth, prompting widespread mourning.
Seditious Meetings Bill drives democratic societies underground.
Rising depression and discontent; Prince Regent's coach attacked at state opening of Parliament.

Art and science

John Keats begins to write his epic poem Endymion on the Isle of Wight; a rite of passage as a professional poet after deserting his medical career.
John Constable exhibits Flatford Mill, one of his most famous naturalistic landscape paintings, at the Royal Academy
John Rennie's new Waterloo Bridge opens.

International

Journalist William Cobbett flees to America fearing prosecution. Already imprisoned for two years for seditious libel he grew more vehemently pro-reform on his release and reduced the price of his weekly periodical the Political Register to expand its circulation and influence to all classes.
James Monroe is elected President of the United States.

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