American Artists COPLEY AND WEST Benjamin West 1738

American Artists? COPLEY AND WEST

Benjamin West (1738 -1820) “My talent will make me the companion of kings and emperors. ” � Benjamin West was born in Pennsylvania. � By the age of 12 he was already a very talented, professional painter and by 20 he was famous throughout NY and PA. Legend has it that Native Americans taught him how to mix paint. � He is known for his huge oil paintings of historical events and later religious scenes. � He was one of the first artists to show modern events with figures in modern clothing – previously it was more typical to use ancient costume. � Age 22 he traveled to Italy to study art. A few years later he moved to live in London, England became a well-known artist. Despite living the rest of his life in England, he had a huge impact on American painters. � Continued to paint and enjoyed fame and popularity in England. � King George III became a patron of West’s. George III named West his “royal history painter. ” � West’s popularity waned somewhat during the Revolutionary War. But ultimately, West remained popular in London even after the War.

Benjamin West The Death of General Wolfe (1771) oil on canvas approximately 5 x 7 ft. Shows the death of General Wolfe, a famous general, in the war between Great Britain and the French in Quebec. This battle lasted only 15 minutes!

William Penn’s Treaty with the Indians (1771 -1772) • Commissioned by Thomas Penn, son of Pennsylvania’s Founder. • Shows a legendary meeting between William Penn and Lenni Lanape tribe. • Approximately 6 ft by 12 ft.

Benjamin West Christ Healing the Sick (1811) There actually two versions of this painting. First, a Pennsylvania hospital commissioned West to paint it. But the British government liked it so much when he was painting it in London that they pressured him to sell it to the British National Gallery. West then painted a second version that was shipped to Philadelphia and is still in the hospital.

John Singleton Copley (1738 -1815) ▪ ▪ The foremost artist of colonial America and one of its most prolific. Copley was born on July 3, 1738, in Boston, and was trained by his stepfather, an engraver. Copley is known for his great attention to detail and ability to capture the elegance of his subjects. This made him popular among the elite in Boston. He was one of the first American painters to earn a nice living from his paintings (compare this to the struggling artists of Europe)

Copley Travels to Europe � He was a contemporary of Benjamin West encouraged him to come to London and introduced him to influential people. � Emigrated to London in 1774, where he lived for the rest of his life. � Copley’s family were Loyalists and that also encouraged him to move to London. � Copley’s wife’s father was a merchant for London’s East India Company, which owned some of the tea shipments tossed into the harbor during the 1773 Boston Tea Party. � Copley was very popular for a time in London, but unlike West his popularity declined and he never regained his status.

John Singleton Copley Portrait of Paul Revere ca. 1768 -1770 oil on canvas 2 ft. 11 1/8 in. x 2 ft. 4 in. This was one of many paintings Copley did of famous Bostonians and Americans – also painted John Hancock and Samuel Adams - Why do we know Paul Revere? What do you notice about the date?

John Singleton Copley The Death of the Earl of Chatham • 1779 -81 oil on canvas Shows the death of the Earl as he was urging Great Britain to continue to fight in the colonies

Watson and the Shark (1778)

Watson and the Shark (1778) This huge painting (6’ x 8’) shows a depiction of a real event. A London merchant named Brook Watson commissioned this piece. Watson was in business with members of Copley’s family. � When he was 14 and a cabin boy on a trading ship, Watson was a victim of a shark attack off Havana, Cuba (How did he get in the water? ? ). � Copley painted this scene 29 years after the actual event. � The painting shows the third—and ultimately successful—rescue attempt by nearby sailors, glorifying it as a story of salvation and spiritual rebirth. Watson lost his leg. � Fun fact – Watson also owned tea thrown in to the harbor during the Boston Tea Party. Questions � What do you notice about the shark? ? � This painting is at the National Gallery. How did it get here? (Watson Christ’s Hospital National Gallery � �

For Discussion �Can we call these artists “American” artists? �What do you think was the reaction of those in the new United States to artists like Copley and West?