The Death of General Wolfe - Analysis - Benjamin West

Benjamin West's The Death of General Wolfe is a near perfect History Painting. Not because it's accurate. Rather it sets a prime example of West's reinvented genre. With his buddy, John Singleton Copley, West created a new form of history portrayal. The duo painted current events with dramatic flair. Before them, History Paintings stuck to classical and Bible stories. These artist friends thus founded contemporary History Painting.

For instance, the General falls with tragic grace at the center of The Death of General Wolfe. This had happened in 1759 during the French and Indian War. Eleven years later West weaved artistic license into it. In truth, Wolfe took three musket balls at the height of battle. There's no way he died with such elegance.

It's also unlikely that a Native American watched with calm contemplation, kneeling nearby. The figure served two crucial purposes for West, though. First, they place the setting in the New World. And foremost, that excites the painting's English audience.
Learn about this and more masterpieces with a click through to LadyKflo's site.

Listen to the LadyKflo podcast wherever you get your podcasts.

Checkout her socials too: