Benjamin West

Benjamin West's paintings use expressive figures and staged action to tell stories from ancient history, religion, and more recent events. His work connects an American background with the European practice of history painting and its public and private patrons. Agrippina Landing at Brundisium with the Ashes of Germanicus gives an ancient narrative the scale and arrangement of a formal historical scene. Portraits, including that of Charles Willson Peale, show how likeness and artistic relationships formed part of his painting practice.