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Death of a General

Benjamin West

1779

ink

paper

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Baroque 18th Century Allegory

Dominant colour

Death of a General is a 1779 ink by Benjamin West, a Baroque work, held at National Gallery of Art.

Who painted this?: Benjamin West
When & what style?: 1779 · Baroque
Where can I see it?: National Gallery of Art

About this work

This sketch shows a chaotic scene of soldiers and civilians in the middle of battle. A fallen general lies on the ground, surrounded by people—some standing, some kneeling. One soldier holds a spear, another raises a sword, and a woman in the crowd looks upward with her hands clasped. The background is dark and stormy, with trees and a rocky cliff. The artist used quick, sketchy lines to show movement and emotion, almost like a hurried drawing. The mix of soldiers and civilians makes it feel urgent and dramatic. Next, check out cross-hatching to see how artists build shadow and depth with lines.