A Blasted Tree, c. 1785
Benjamin Westexpand_more
Brush and gray wash, pen and ink on laid paperexpand_more
Gift of Chichi Steiner and Tom Rassieur in honor of Patrick Noonexpand_more 2020.22
Not on Viewexpand_more
Born in colonial Pennsylvania, Benjamin West enjoyed a meteoric career in England, where he became a court painter to King George III and longtime president of the Royal Academy. Though primarily known as a painter of grand historical scenes, West enjoyed sketching outdoors during his free time. His close relationship with the king gave him access to the parklands around Windsor Castle, where he marveled at ancient trees that survived with just a few scant branches of leaves projecting from their twisted, weather-beaten stumps. In his fascination with the forces of nature—both its destructive power and the will to survive—West is regarded as a forerunner of Romantic artists of the next generation.
Details
- Title
- A Blasted Tree
- Artist Life
- (active Britain), 1738 - 1820
- Role
- Artist
- Accession Number
- 2020.22
- Provenance
- (John Basket, London, 1970, no. 7); Charles Ryskamp (New York, 1928-2010); his sale, Sotheby’s, New York, January 25, 2011, lot 187; Tom Rassieur, Minneapolis.
- Curator Approved
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