Object Details
Artist
Benjamin West, born Springfield, PA 1738-died London, England 1820
Sitter
Benjamin West
Benjamin West
Gallery Label
Six months before he died, West looked unflinchingly into the mirror to paint his self-portrait. He holds a drawing pencil and wears a painter's robe and beaver hat, which identify him as a founder and president of the Royal Academy of Art. The light is strongest on his face and hands, but the rest of the picture falls into shadow, as if he foresaw his own end. West was official painter to the King of England and the first American artist to gain an international reputation. His example led generations of American artists to measure their art and professional identities by European standards.Exhibition Label, Smithsonian American Art Museum, 2006
Credit Line
Smithsonian American Art Museum, Transfer from the U.S. Capitol
Date
1819
Object number
1917.2.3
Restrictions & Rights
CC0
Type
Painting
Medium
oil on paperboard
Dimensions
32 3/8 x 25 5/8 in. (82.2 x 65.0 cm.)
See more items in
Smithsonian American Art Museum Collection
Department
Painting and Sculpture
Data Source
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Topic
Dress\accessory\hat
Occupation\art\painter
Portrait male\self-portrait
Portrait male\waist length
Object\art tool
Link to Original Record
Record ID
saam_1917.2.3