Benjamin West
Allegory and Allegiance
Derrick R. Cartwright(Author)
University of Washington Press
Published on 1. November 2004
Book
Paperback/Softback
56 pages
978-1-879067-08-0 (ISBN)
Description
Benjamin West (1738-1820) occupies a significant place in both American and British art histories. Born in Springfield Township (now Swarthmore), Pennsylvania, he was sent to study in Europe, opened a studio in London in 1763, and was appointed historical painter to King George III in 1772. This publication focuses on paintings by West which took their inspiration from The Faerie Queene by Edmund Spenser. Derrick Cartwright's essay explores West's use of Spensarian imagery, arguing that this long, complex, sixteenth-century poem allowed West to express his own conflicting allegiances as an American-born painter who enjoyed enormous success as an expartriate living in London. Illustrations include the three known paintings West based on Spenser, other works by West, preparatory drawings, prints produced by other artists based on West's paintings, as well as paintings by Copley, Reynolds, Watts, and even Lee Woodward Zeigler (a twentieth century American artist), all of whom produced works based on The Faerie Queene.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Seattle
United States
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Illustrations
37 Abbildungen
37 illustrations, 14 in colour
Dimensions
Height: 216 mm
Width: 267 mm
ISBN-13
978-1-879067-08-0 (9781879067080)
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Schweitzer Classification
Person
Benjamin West (1738-1820) occupies a significant place in both American and British art histories. Born in Springfield Township (now Swarthmore), Pennsylvania, he was sent to study in Europe, opened a studio in London in 1763, and was appointed historical painter to King George III in 1772.