Benjamin West collection from the Friends Historical Library, Swarthmore College, 1775-1819
West, Benjamin,
b. 1738
d. 1820
Painter, Portrait painter
Pa.; U.K.
Collection size: 1 partial microfilm reel
Collection Summary: Papers and drawings selected from collections at Swarthmore College's Friends Historical Library, mainly regarding West's life and painting activities in England. Included are: 15 letters between West and various individuals refering to his paintings, requesting to see his collection and business matters; hand drawn diagrams for King's Chapel at Windsor Castle designating the placement, subjects and measurements for a cycle of paintings; account lists kept by Mrs. West documenting daily expenditures and various social engagements; and 212 drawings of religious and classical subjects, as well as landsape, figural and animal studies.
Biographical/Historical Note: Painter Born in Pennsylvania, moved to London, where his studio became a center for expatriate Americans.
Microfilmed in 1989 as part of AAA's Philadelphia Arts Documentation Project. The papers are from several collections at Friends Historical Library.
How to Use this Collection
- Microfilm reel 4233 available at Archives of American Art offices, through interlibrary loan, at the Free Library of Philadelphia, and at the Friends Historical Library at Swarthmore College.
- The Archives of American art does not own the original papers. Use is limited to the microfilm copy.
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