When he died 200 years ago today, he was honoured with burial in Saint Paul’s Cathedral, London. Not bad for an American painter.
West
His last chance to establish ‘modern’ history painting, with the Napoleonic Wars and the death of Admiral Lord Nelson.
With ‘modern history paintings’ long behind him, he turned to literary subjects and classical histories once more.
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.
A Pennsylvanian, he wanted to be a great history painter. When returning from a visit to Italy, he stopped off in London, and stayed there almost 60 years.
Look for series covering the life and paintings of Raphael, the Swedish Anders Zorn, Amedeo Modigliani, and articles on others with anniversaries this year.
Considers modern history painting before this by West and David, the underlying story of the tragedy, and how Géricault came to paint what he did.
The Sack of Troy, Turner, Vesuvius erupting, an unusual Manet maritime, Vallotton, Paul Nash, Monet, Luce, Signac, Stella and more going up in smoke.
Look where the figures are looking: that helps you read many paintings. Fine examples from Moreau, Gérôme, Lovis Corinth, Velázquez, and others.
The Eclectic Light Company 