Artwork
Portrait of Benjamin West
Portrait of Benjamin West is an unspecified painting by the British Romanticist artist Thomas Lawrence. It dates from 1818 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. This portrait depicts Benjamin West, a notable American artist, in a bust-length format.
About this work
Look up other portraits by Thomas Lawrence (British, 1769–1830) to see how he painted people with energy and warmth.
You see an older man with white hair, dressed in a dark coat, looking straight at you.
This painting might be a quick version of a larger portrait. The artist used looser brushstrokes here, maybe because the sitter couldn’t stand for long. It’s like a sketch with color—fast, but still full of life.
Look up other portraits by Thomas Lawrence (British, 1769–1830) to see how he painted people with energy and warmth.
Overview
This portrait depicts Benjamin West, a notable American artist, in a bust-length format. The painting's attribution to Thomas Lawrence is uncertain, though its style is reminiscent of his work.
Subject & Meaning
The subject is Benjamin West, shown as an older man with white hair, wearing a dark coat and engaging the viewer directly. The portrait conveys a sense of energy and warmth.
Technique & Style
Characterized by loose brushstrokes, the painting has a sketch-like quality, suggesting a rapid execution. This approach may have been necessitated by West's advanced age and limited ability to pose for extended periods.
History & Provenance
The portrait may be a smaller version or a copy of a full-length portrait of West by Lawrence, now in the National Gallery, London. It could have been created by Lawrence or one of his pupils.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Sir Thomas Lawrence (13 April 1769 – 7 January 1830) was an English painter who served as the fourth president of the Royal Academy.
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