Who painted Death of a General?

Death of a General was painted by Benjamin West in 1779.

Where can I see Death of a General?

Death of a General is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Death of a General?

Death of a General is associated with Baroque.

Can I buy a print of Death of a General?

Museum-quality prints of Death of a General are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Death of a General

Benjamin West , 1779

Death of a General is an ink drawing by the Baroque artist Benjamin West. It dates from 1779 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

Inscription: Inscribed:lower center in black ink: (not deciphered); by later hand, upper right verso in graphite: 10 (underlined)

About this work

Overview

Death of a General is a drawing created by Benjamin West in 1779 using pen and black ink with gray wash on laid paper.

Subject & Meaning

The drawing depicts a chaotic battle scene with a fallen general at its center, surrounded by soldiers and civilians. The figures convey a range of emotions and actions, from a soldier brandishing a sword to a woman praying.

Technique & Style

West employed rapid, expressive lines to capture the turmoil and emotional intensity of the scene. The use of gray wash adds depth, while the sketchy quality of the drawing conveys a sense of urgency and drama.

The Adoration of the Magi [recto], Donato Creti

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Artist & collection

Artist

Benjamin West

Benjamin West (October 10, 1738 – March 11, 1820) was an American-born British painter who specialised in history painting, creating such works as The Death of Nelson, The Death of General Wolfe, the Treaty of Paris,…