Lawrence, Sir Thomas “Benjamin West, P.R.A”

Sir Thomas Lawrence.  “Benjamin West, P.R.A.”  “New York & London: William Hayward; Thomas Boys, 1842.  27 ¾ x 18 ¼ (plate marks).  Engraving.  A single one inch repaired tear in bottom, right margin.  Strong strike.  Very good condition.   The American born painter Benjamin West (1738-1820) had risen to the pinnacle of success as a history painter in 1792 when he became president of the Royal Academy.  In 1818 John Trumbull, as president of the American Academy, asked Sir Thomas Lawrence to paint a full length portrait of West for $2,000.  It was finished after West’s death and sent to New York in 1822.  The original portrait showing West in a long robe that he wore in his studios painting and lecturing was sold to the Wadsworth Athenaeum in 1855.  Lawrence made a copy for himself. This bold portrait published both in America and England is a fitting tribute to Benjamin West during this age of appreciation for fine and nationalistic art.