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Benjamin West, also known as Benny West, was an American-born painter who specialised in historical painting. West was entirely self-taught and had no formal training or education. He showed a talent for painting at an early age, and by the age of 15, he was a prolific portrait painter. West's parents encouraged him to draw, and he learned about paint pigments from local Native Americans. He also fashioned his first paintbrush from his cat's fur. West's raw talent caught the eye of many patrons and mentors, who helped him progress in his career. He travelled to Europe and immersed himself in the works of the Italian Old Masters and Greek and Roman art. He also took up the newly forming Neoclassical style and painted several large-scale history paintings that were popular with the public.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Benjamin West |
| Birthplace | Swarthmore, Pennsylvania |
| Birthdate | October 10, 1738 |
| Parents | Encouraged him to draw |
| Self-taught | Yes |
| First paintbrush | Made from cat's fur |
| Learned about pigments from | Native Americans |
| First paints received from | Cousin |
| First patron | William Henry |
| Classical learning patron | Dr. William Smith |
| Travelled to Europe | Yes |
| First American artist to visit Italy | Yes |
| Studied in Italy | Yes |
| Settled in | London |
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What You'll Learn
Benny West's early life and introduction to art
Benjamin West, born on October 10, 1738, in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, was an American-born painter who specialized in history painting. West had no formal training but showed a precocious artistic talent at a young age. He was encouraged to draw by his parents and would often forget to do his work because he liked to draw.
As a child, West learned about paint and pigment from Native Americans, who showed him how to make paint by mixing clay from the river bank with bear grease. He fashioned his first paintbrush from his cat's fur. At the age of nine, he met English artist William Williams, who introduced him to painting and lent him art books. By the age of fifteen, he had become a prolific and locally renowned portrait painter in Pennsylvania.
In 1756, West was sent to Philadelphia to study painting. There, he met Dr. William Smith, the provost of the College of Philadelphia, who became his patron and enrolled him in his school, devising a special program in classical learning for him. West's lessons in antiquity fueled his ambition to become a history painter, and in 1760, he sailed for Italy, becoming the first American artist to study there. He spent three years copying masterpieces by Titian, Raphael, and others, and visiting leading Italian cities before arriving in London in 1763.
In London, West established himself as a portrait painter and soon gained the patronage of King George III, who appointed him as his official history painter. West also befriended Sir Joshua Reynolds and gained widespread popularity. He became one of the founders of the Royal Academy of Arts and eventually succeeded Reynolds as its second president. West remained in London until his death on March 11, 1820, leaving a legacy of influential historical paintings and a generation of artists he had trained.
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West's self-taught methods and natural talent
Benjamin West was an entirely self-taught painter with a natural talent for the arts. He showed a precocious artistic talent from a young age and was encouraged to draw by his parents. West's first experience with paint was when he was a child, and Native Americans showed him how to make paint by mixing clay from the river bank with bear grease. He also learned about pigments from these local Native Americans, and he fashioned his first paintbrush from his cat's fur.
At the age of nine, West met English artist William Williams, who introduced him to painting and lent him art books. By the age of fifteen, he had become a prolific and locally renowned portrait painter in Pennsylvania. In 1756, West moved to Philadelphia to study painting, and his work soon caught the eye of Dr. William Smith, the provost of the College of Philadelphia, who became his patron. Smith enrolled West in his school and even devised a special program in classical learning for him.
West's raw talent and self-taught methods impressed many patrons and mentors who supported him in his career. In 1760, he travelled to Italy, where he expanded his repertoire by copying works of Italian painters such as Titian and Raphael. He also met several international neoclassical artists, including German-born Anton Rafael Mengs, Scottish Gavin Hamilton, and Austrian Angelica Kauffman. West's time in Italy was pivotal, as he embraced the emerging Neoclassical movement that was rapidly gaining ground across Europe.
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Native Americans' influence on West's painting
Benjamin West was born in 1738 in Pennsylvania and is known for his history paintings. He was self-taught and learned about painting from local Native Americans. West's first encounter with art was when he attempted to draw his sleeping infant niece. He later learned about pigments from local Native Americans, who showed him how to make paint by mixing clay from the river bank with bear grease. West also fashioned his first paintbrush from his cat's fur.
West's early life was spent in colonial America, where he had no access to art. However, he soon became a successful portrait painter, gaining valuable patronage and touring Europe. He eventually settled in London, where he became a prominent figure in the founding of the Royal Academy.
West's work was influenced by his encounters with Native Americans, and he often painted subjects from the New World, including Native Americans themselves and colonial battles. His most famous painting, 'The Death of General Wolfe', includes a Mohawk warrior among the figures. This inclusion has been interpreted as a sign of Native Americans' active negotiations with the European presence in North America. West's work contributed to a broader understanding of the impending takeover of Native American lands by European colonists.
West's painting style was also influenced by his time in Europe, where he studied the works of Italian painters such as Titian and Raphael. He embraced Neoclassicism and later Romanticism, appealing to his audience's emotions rather than reason. Despite his influence on the development of art in America and his popularity during his lifetime, West's reputation suffered with later critics and historians.
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West's classical education in Philadelphia
Benjamin West was born in Pennsylvania in 1738 and developed an interest in art at a young age. As a child, he made his own paint by mixing clay from a river bank with bear grease in a pot, as taught to him by Native Americans. He also fashioned his first paintbrush from his cat's fur. West's parents encouraged him to draw, and by the age of 15, he had become a prolific portrait painter and a local celebrity.
In 1756, West was sent to Philadelphia to study painting. There, he met Dr. William Smith, the provost of the College of Philadelphia, who became his patron. Smith was impressed by West's painting "The Death of Socrates" and invited the artist to move nearby so that he could support his education. West was enrolled in Smith's school and took part in a special program of classical learning, with lessons in antiquity that fuelled his ambition to become a history painter.
West's subsequent patrons included William Allen, reputed to be the wealthiest man in Philadelphia, and William Henry, a gunsmith. Through the assistance of his patrons and other supporters, West travelled to Italy in 1760, becoming the first American artist to study there. He visited leading Italian cities, copying works by masters such as Titian and Raphael, and meeting international neoclassical artists. West's time in Italy expanded his repertoire and introduced him to the Neoclassical movement, which was rapidly gaining ground.
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West's travels and immersion in European art
Benjamin West's travels in Europe were instrumental in his development as a painter. In 1760, West travelled to Italy, where he visited many of the country's leading cities. During his time in Italy, West expanded his repertoire by copying the works of Italian masters such as Titian and Raphael. He also met several international neoclassical artists, including German-born Anton Rafael Mengs, Scottish artist Gavin Hamilton, and Austrian Angelica Kauffman.
West arrived in England in 1763, initially intending to stay only briefly before returning to America. However, he ended up settling in London, where he established himself as a portrait painter. He gained the patronage of King George III, who appointed him as his historical painter, and he became a founder and later president of the Royal Academy of Arts. West's time in London was marked by his growing success and influence as an artist, with works such as "The Death of General Wolfe" (1770) making a noteworthy concession to realism and having a profound effect on the art world.
West's immersion in European art extended beyond his travels to his artistic influences as well. He embraced the Neoclassical movement that was gaining popularity in Italy and across Europe, incorporating it into his own large-scale history paintings. West's works embodied the intellectual and moral values, as well as the visual experiences and information he had gained during his time in Italy. His art sought to combine "ethical lessons" from ancient sources with Christian morality.
West's travels and exposure to European art not only shaped his artistic style but also his legacy as a mentor and teacher to a generation of American artists. His students included notable painters such as Washington Allston, Gilbert Stuart, and John Singleton Copley, who would go on to shape the early Republic's visual identity. West's influence on the course of American painting was significant, and he is credited with helping to launch the careers of many major American artists of his time.
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Frequently asked questions
Benny West was a self-taught painter who learned to paint at a young age. He was encouraged to draw by his parents and was introduced to painting by English artist William Williams, who lent him art books. He also learned about pigments from local Native Americans.
Benny West had little formal education or training. He did not attend school and had to learn to spell, even when he became the president of the Royal Academy.
Benny West's patrons included Dr. William Smith, provost of the College of Philadelphia, and William Allen, the wealthiest man in Philadelphia.
