Who painted Vagabond Family [recto]?

Vagabond Family [recto] was painted by Benjamin West in 1788.

Where can I see Vagabond Family [recto]?

Vagabond Family [recto] is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Vagabond Family [recto]?

Vagabond Family [recto] is associated with Romanticism.

Can I buy a print of Vagabond Family [recto]?

Museum-quality prints of Vagabond Family [recto] are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Vagabond Family [recto]

Benjamin West , 1788

Vagabond Family [recto] is an ink drawing by the Romanticist artist Benjamin West. It dates from 1788 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

Inscription: Inscribed:lower right in pen and brown ink: B. West 1788; center verso in graphite and pen and brown ink: 6 feet 8. 3/2
Markings: Marked:lower right verso stamped in black ink: JSH [Julius S. Held]

About this work

Overview

Benjamin West’s drawing titled Vagabond Family, executed in 1788, is rendered with pen and brown ink complemented by brown and blue washes on wove paper. The composition presents a solitary adult male accompanied by two children, arranged against a muted blue background that includes subtle darker strokes.

Subject & Meaning

The central figure, a man in a hat and long coat, stands upright while the children huddle close to his left side. Their expressions convey a somber mood; the children look upward toward the adult with evident concern, suggesting themes of hardship and familial responsibility.

Technique & Style

West employs fine pen lines to define the figures, while washes of brown and blue create tonal depth and atmospheric ambience. The use of wash alongside precise drawing reflects the transitional aesthetic of late 18th‑century Romantic sensibilities, emphasizing emotion through subtle color modulation.

History & Provenance

Created in 1788, the work belongs to West’s later period, when he increasingly explored socially charged subjects. The drawing’s provenance traces back to private collections before entering a museum holding, though specific acquisition details remain limited.

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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,…