Painting of the Day: A View of Snow Hill, Windsor Great Park, 1799

Click image to enlarge.
View of Snow Hill, Windsor Great Park
Benjamin West, 1799
The Victoria & Albert Museum

Benjamin West (1738-1820) is notable as the first American-born artist to gain international renown. He famously was appointed as Historical Painter to King George III and was granted the position of the second President of the Royal Academy.

West was decidedly ambitious and, in many ways, ruthless in his pursuit of prestige. Later in life, both he and his work became affected by a melodramatic grandiosity which was both charming and repulsive.

Upon his death, he left behind a legacy of nearly 750 paintings of which only about thirty were landscapes. Therefore, this canvas from 1799 is particularly special. Entitled, “A View of Snow Hill, Windsor Great Park” depicts West himself, at the left, sketching. He is joined by his friend and companion, James Dyer, a former soldier in the Horse Guards who would later become a life model at the Royal Academy Schools. Furthermore, Dyer served as West's valet for fifty years. This painting is one of a group of seven views in and around Windsor which were created by West. West rented a house in Windsor, circa 1780, in large part because he had been commissioned for a series of paintings in the Royal Chapel in Windsor Castle.

Painting of the Day: Augustus, Duke of Sussex, 1780

Prince Augustus
Benjamin West, 1780
Crown Copyright
The Royal Collection
Image Courtesy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

From 1780, we have Augustus, Duke of Sussex as painted by Benjamin West (1738-1820). This is one of several paintings by West added to the Royal Collection by Queen Mary (1867-1953).

West came to England from Italy in 1763 and became part of the movement to create a national school of history painting—a goal supported by King George III. George III awarded West his patronage and West found himself closely associated with the newly founded Royal Academy in 1768. There, he was one of the first artists to exhibit.

By 1772, West was considered to be the “Historical Painter to the King,” and was paid an annual stipend by the Crown. As part of his commission, he offered artistic instruction to the princesses. In 1791, West succeeded Richard Dalton as Surveyor of the King’s Pictures. Though dated 1780, the portrait that we see above was not exhibited at the Royal Academy until 1782. While the painting of Prince Augustus in front of a view of Windsor was commissioned by Queen Charlotte, at some point, it left the Royal Collection only to be returned in 1934 when Queen Mary purchased it. 

Painting of the Day: A View of Snow Hill, Windsor Great Park, 1799

Click image to enlarge.
View of Snow Hill, Windsor Great Park
Benjamin West, 1799
The Victoria & Albert Museum

Benjamin West (1738-1820) is notable as the first American-born artist to gain international renown. He famously was appointed as Historical Painter to King George III and was granted the position of the second President of the Royal Academy.

West was decidedly ambitious and, in many ways, ruthless in his pursuit of prestige. Later in life, both he and his work became affected by a melodramatic grandiosity which was both charming and repulsive.

Upon his death, he left behind a legacy of nearly 750 paintings of which only about thirty were landscapes. Therefore, this canvas from 1799 is particularly special. Entitled, “A View of Snow Hill, Windsor Great Park” depicts West himself, at the left, sketching. He is joined by his friend and companion, James Dyer, a former soldier in the Horse Guards who would later become a life model at the Royal Academy Schools. Furthermore, Dyer served as West's valet for fifty years. This painting is one of a group of seven views in and around Windsor which were created by West. West rented a house in Windsor, circa 1780, in large part because he had been commissioned for a series of paintings in the Royal Chapel in Windsor Castle.

Painting of the Day: George IV, when Prince of Wales, with Frederick, Duke of York, when Prince Frederick

The Prince of Wales and Duke of York
Benjamin West, 1777
Crown Copyright
The Royal Collection
via The Royal Collection Trust
Image Courtesy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

The famed Benjamin West (1738-1820) finished this double portrait in 1777 at the request of King George III and Queen Charlotte.  

George III was a keen supporter of Benjamin West who settled in England after leaving Italy in 1763.  At the time, English artists were laboring to create a national school of history painting, a goal to which George III offered his patronage.  This movement and the King's loyalty to West led to the foundation of the Royal Academy in 1768.

Between 1768 and 1801, Benjamin West painted about sixty works for King George III and by 1772 had earned the title, "Historical Painter to the King," a position for which, by 1780, West was  receiving an annual stipend from the King of £100. 

Among the many works commissioned of West by King George III was a set of five double or group portraits of the Royal Family which were intended to hang as a group  in the King’s Closet at St James’s Palace.

This is one of a pair of double portraits within this series depicting the four eldest princes.  The Prince of Wales, later King George IV, is depicted wearing a state robe with the collar and star of the Order of the Garter.  He has been posed with his left arm on the right shoulder of his brother, who is wearing the robes of the Garter with the collars of the the Garter and the Bath.

Painting of the Day: Augustus, Duke of Sussex, 1780

Prince Augustus
Benjamin West, 1780
Crown Copyright
The Royal Collection
Image Courtesy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

From 1780, we have Augustus, Duke of Sussex as painted by Benjamin West (1738-1820). This is one of several paintings by West added to the Royal Collection by Queen Mary (1867-1953).

West came to England from Italy in 1763 and became part of the movement to create a national school of history painting—a goal supported by King George III. George III awarded West his patronage and West found himself closely associated with the newly founded Royal Academy in 1768. There, he was one of the first artists to exhibit.

By 1772, West was considered to be the “Historical Painter to the King,” and was paid an annual stipend by the Crown. As part of his commission, he offered artistic instruction to the princesses. In 1791, West succeeded Richard Dalton as Surveyor of the King’s Pictures. Though dated 1780, the portrait that we see above was not exhibited at the Royal Academy until 1782. While the painting of Prince Augustus in front of a view of Windsor was commissioned by Queen Charlotte, at some point, it left the Royal Collection only to be returned in 1934 when Queen Mary purchased it. 

Painting of the Day: A View of Snow Hill, Windsor Great Park, 1799

Click image to enlarge.
View of Snow Hill, Windsor Great Park
Benjamin West, 1799
The Victoria & Albert Museum

Benjamin West (1738-1820) is notable as the first American-born artist to gain international renown. He famously was appointed as Historical Painter to King George III and was granted the position of the second President of the Royal Academy.

West was decidedly ambitious and, in many ways, ruthless in his pursuit of prestige. Later in life, both he and his work became affected by a melodramatic grandiosity which was both charming and repulsive.

Upon his death, he left behind a legacy of nearly 750 paintings of which only about thirty were landscapes. Therefore, this canvas from 1799 is particularly special. Entitled, “A View of Snow Hill, Windsor Great Park” depicts West himself, at the left, sketching. He is joined by his friend and companion, James Dyer, a former soldier in the Horse Guards who would later become a life model at the Royal Academy Schools. Furthermore, Dyer served as West's valet for fifty years. This painting is one of a group of seven views in and around Windsor which were created by West. West rented a house in Windsor, circa 1780, in large part because he had been commissioned for a series of paintings in the Royal Chapel in Windsor Castle.