The Winterthur Library

The Joseph Downs Collection of Manuscripts and Printed Ephemera

OVERVIEW OF THE COLLECTION

Creator: Benjamin West

Title: Papers

Dates: 1762-1829

Call No.: Col. 394

Acc. No.: [various – see detailed description]

Quantity: 1 box

Location: 9 C 2

BIOGRAPHICAL STATEMENT

Benjamin West (1738-1820) was particularly noted for his paintings of historical events and portraits. Born in or near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, West studied with William Williams upon his arrival in Philadelphia in the late 1740s. In either 1759 or 1760, West traveled to Italy to study art. His works were so well received abroad that he decided to remain in Europe, opening a studio in London as a portrait painter. His 1770 work, “Death of Wolfe,” gained the attention of the British royalty and West was soon commissioned by King George to paint several more heroic death scenes. His great knowledge of the history of art and literature is apparent in his work, particularly in West’s French romantic style painting, “Death on a Pale Horse,” 1802.

West was a charter member of the Royal Academy, founded in 1768. He later became its second president. West decided to keep his permanent residence in London, remaining there until his death in 1820. After the American Revolutionary War, many young American artists went to Europe to study, and quite a few well-known artists temporarily moved to London to study with West. Among them were Charles Willson Peale, Rembrandt Peale, Gilbert Stuart, John Trumbull, and Thomas Sully.

SCOPE AND CONTENT

This collection contains various papers and letters relating to painter Benjamin West. Most notable are a catalog written in his own hand of works in West’s private collection, a published catalog raisonne of West’s works auctioned off in 1829 (photostat only), and a published description and critical assesment of his painting, “Christ Healing the Sick in the Temple.” West’s sketchbooks are available on microfilm. There are several documents signed by West, including a ticket to a lecture and a bank check. Most of the letters are about paintings, his or others. There is also a facsimile of a letter from West to Charles Willson Peale.

ORGANIZATION

The finding aid lists items in accession number order; the items in the box are not arranged in any particular order.

PROVENANCE

Purchases and gifts from various sources.

ACCESS POINTS

People:

West, Benjamin, 1738-1820 - Catalogues raisonnés.

Topics:

Painters.

Painting, American - European influences.

Painting, British.

History in art.

Art auctions - Catalogs.

Artists - Correspondence.

Painting - Catalogs.

Art criticism.

Additional author:

Robinson, John.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE COLLECTION

Location: 9 C 2

66x142 (2559) Letter to Mr. Gerard from Benjamin West, London, June 18, 1818. Concerns a Miss Goodrich who wishes to see Mr. Gerard’s collection of paintings on her trip to Paris.

67x97 (2729) Robinson, John. A Description of and Critical Remarks on the Picture of Christ Healing the Sick in the Temple, Painted by Benjamin West, Esq. Philadelphia: S. W. Conrad, 1818. Analyzes each figure in the painting; discusses technical aspects of light and shading, coloring, perspective. Short hand notes throughout. Includes drawing of the painting by Thomas Sully with a guide to name figures. Signature on blank page in the front reads Josh Ingreham.

67x114 (2748) Customs certificate with seal. Signed by Benjamin West, PRA [President of the Royal Academy], London, October 1818. Declares that drawings and sketches, etc. in two packages belong to the Hugh Irwin Exhibition at the Royal Academy and are for exhibit only, not for sale.

68x48.1 (2889) Bank check to Alex Alexander from Benjamin West for 93 pounds, 3 shillings.

71x137 (3626) Letter to John Sinclare from Benjamin West. London, February 5, 1801. Requests him to sit for a portrait.

72x58 (3799) Letter to Joseph Shippen form Benjamin West, Florence, May 11, 1762. Discusses new paintings versus copies; describes operation on his ankle.

72x211 (3856) Ticket to admit Edward Jones to a lecture. London, February 18, 1819. Signed by Benjamin West.

72x303 (3929) “A catalogue of pictures painted by Benjamin West for his own collection.” In West’s hand. Lists prices (in pounds) as well.

76x62 (6873) Letter to Mr. Raule from Benjamin West. London, August 10, 1816. Concerns West’s student, Mr. Robinson’s return to the U.S.; mentions land West owned along the West Branch of the Susquehanna river in Pennsylvania.

76x425 (7125) Letter to Mr. Marsh et al., from Benjamin West, London, July 2, 1817. Concerns painting the opening of the seven seals from Revelations; asks for an extension of a deadline he was unable to meet due to the fact that he was busy painting.

77x347.1 (7456) Letter to Benjamin West from Antonio Canova, Rome, May 20, 1818. In Italian with translation. The Academy of St. Luca asked for a self portrait in return will make him an honorary member of the Academy.

Ph 1075 (4857) Photostat of a catalog raisonne of West’s own collection of his works. Items were auctioned off by George Robinson in May 1829. It includes hand written notes of who bought each painting, and the price paid for it. Many of the titles indicate religious or Greco-Roman themes, as well as historical events and landscapes.

Ph 1281 (5050) facsimile of a letter from Benjamin West to Charles Willson Peale, June 15, 1783, extending congratulations on the recent peace and requesting a portrait of George Washington. In green folder labeled “A Gift to its Members from the Archives of American Art” (original letter is in its collection).

Mic. 1573 Sketch books owned by Benjamin West. Originals in Historical Society of Pennsylvania. See cataloging entry. Contains drawings of people and some landscapes with animals.