Painter; born near
Springfield, Pa., Oct. 10, 1738.
His parents were Friends.
He served as a private soldier under
General Forbes for a short time, when, having displayed a decided talent for art, he went to
Philadelphia and engaged in portrait-painting.
In 1760 he visited
Italy, and afterwards remained some time in
France.
In 1763 he went to
England, and there, meeting with much encouragement in his art, made his permanent residence.
He
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became a favorite of King George III., was a member of the Royal Academy at its foundation in 1768, and in 1792 succeeded
Sir Joshua Reynolds as its president.
In his picture of the
Death of General Wolfe he first departed from custom, and depicted the characters in proper
costume; and from that time forward there was more realism in historical painting.
West received large prices for his paintings.
For his
Christ healing the sick the British Institution gave him $15,000. One of his latest works,
Death on the pale horse, is in the Academy of Fine Arts in
Philadelphia.
He died in
London, March 11, 1820.
