How West failed in his aim of bringing a revolution to history painting by depicting ‘modern history’, and was repeatedly upstaged by others.
Copley
Paintings of knights in armour from Raphael in c 1502, through Ingres’ rescue of Angelica, to Arthurian legends and the Pre-Raphaelite movement.
From Aesculapius to Zeus, key features of each of the major male deities in classical myths, and links to individual articles here.
Una and the Redcrosse Knight, Sir Guyon or of Temperance, and Britomartis or Chastity: plot summary, main characters, and selected paintings.
After recuperating in the House of Holinesse, with Dame Celia, the Redcrosse Knight faces the dragon in combat, as Saint George.
Dutch Golden Age brandjes, West’s failure, fires in Venice and Copenhagen, and the rivals John Constable and JMW Turner painting London on fire.
God of the sea, there’s more to him than the white-bearded ancient mariner. Paintings by Crane, Poussin, Dyce and others.
He took a break from ‘modern history’ painting in the 1780s, making religious works and even some landscapes, including some unknown gems.
Includes his record of William Penn making his treaty with the Lenape, a strange family portrait, and an obscure naval battle.
In the 8 years after painting the Death of Wolfe, he attempted a few more ‘modern history’ paintings, with varying success.
The Eclectic Light Company 