Benjamin West is primarily known for his paintings of genre scenes in contrast to the more traditional oil painters and historical painters, such as those by renowned Renaissance artist Raphael. Benjamin West wanted to paint scenes that were slow, meditative and distanced from the viewer – this differed drastically from the other works on the canvas.
Benjamin West’s Early Life and Influential Artists
Even the most famous artists, like Benjamin West and James McNeill Whistler, began their art making with quite humble roots. Both in their earlier years, both were inspired by the raw artistic talent showcased in places like Paris. Many of these emerging artists were considered part of a movement that brought on a fresh style in new art forms. Benjamin West, who is credited as one of the most important Victorian era painters, would soon shape his own unique view on painting in many ways. He was able to co-exist with other major European artists who had different views on how some painters made their paintings. One example of this is his work, Death of OEdipus where he attempted to use distortion throughout the piece to show that everything changes in life and all we see has already passed.
Benjamin West as Personal Conscience
During the late 18th and early 19th centuries, Benjamin West was a painter that many art experts still recognize today. He painted in oil beginning in 1748 until his death in 1820. This was because he was one of the few artists at this time to routinely use the new oil medium instead of traditional oils on wood panel or canvas. One reason he painted using oils is because they were cleaner working (and offered more protection from potential damage) than other media. Additionally, it made transporting paintings easier as well which helped spread artistic influence across Europe and eventually world-wide by means of construction.
Benjamin West contributed to the continuing evolution of western art in a very unique way. He began as an early-eighteenth century canvas painter, but he was an artist who engaged fully with contemporary culture and had a preference for genre-bending. Benjamin West’s genre-bending prevented themes in his paintings from becoming too familiar- making his work both controversial and compellingly different.
Benjamin West’s Famous Paintings
Benjamin West lived in the 18th century during the time of the French Revolution. When Napoleon took power, he wanted to make a major change to paint styles and the public palate. He actually decided that it would be best for his country if he could use art to take their minds off of how well things were going for them. One of West’s famous paintings is called A Young American
Benjamin West was born in Pennsylvania in 1738. He abandoned art for a time to fight in the American revolution, but he eventually returned to painting after establishing himself as one of America’s most prolific and important artists. He is particularly known for his genre-busting paintings which show everyday life and nature, realistically yet impressionistically. Many famous oil paintings are produced by him, such as The Death of General Wolfe, The Raft Of Leonardo, and The Orgy.
Painting Interventions
Benjamin West is known as “the father of American painting.” He was born in 1738 in London and studied at the continent. His painting career began in 1759 with “The Death of General Wolfe.” This is a portrait of British officer Sir William Edward Patrick Ferguson. The painting was commissioned by his home country, but defiantly chooses to honor the American General during Britain’s severest loss.
Benjamin West is an Eighteenth-century British painter known for his genre-bending style and his role in bringing European and American styles closer together. His contributions brought a greater understanding of the need and popularity of a diverse range of style.
Fashioning The Self
Benjamin West is considered to be one of the first masters of genre-bending paintings, in that he renders images from so many different fields and disciplines that it is difficult to pin him down. For example, the “Head and the Young Apostle” merges medieval history with biblical stories, while the “Bonaparte At St. Helena” depicts a Sardinian peasant being interrogated by Napoleon Bonaparte.
Benjamin West was an American-Brit who became a Flemish painter, living and working in England for much of his life. In the era’s leading art market, the lack of fame and respect to the artist and his shoddy business skills meant he was not financially successful during his lifetime.
