1000 Museums

American-born painter Benjamin West rose to be the most prominent artist in late 18th century London. Yet, his legacy was most impactful through his teaching, which influenced art in the United States for years to come. Benjamin West was born on October 10, 1738, in Pennsylvania. His earliest works were portraits; he began as a painter of children and then rose to be a prominent portraitist in eastern Pennsylvania and New York City. The first American to study in Italy, he moved there in 1760 to study for three years, after which he moved to London. Benjamin West was an official painter to King George III and received many commissions from him and other English patrons. He first exhibited at the London Society of Artists in 1764. He later rose to be president of the Royal Academy, a position he held from 1792 until his death in 1820. Benjamin West commonly painted historical, religious, and mythological subjects. Beyond his work, he was also a prolific teacher and collector of art. Benjamin West’s studio, filled with paintings he had collected, allowed artists a space to study. He taught roughly three generations of American artists. Amongst his pupils were John Trumball and Gilbert Stuart. The artists Benjamin West taught brought his ideas back to America, causing his work to be influential across the 19th century. He served as a forefather of American art.