'Death on the Pale Horse' and other works by Benjamin West PRA

27 February—24 May 2009

In the Tennant Room

Benjamin West PRA, Death on the Pale Horse (detail), 1783 – 1803. © Royal Academy of Arts

Benjamin West’s first version of Death on the Pale Horse is the focus of this display. Drawn in 1783, his striking portrayal of the Apocalypse was part of a commission from George III but the King eventually rejected it as a ‘Bedlamite scene’. West nevertheless pursued the composition independently, reworking his original study to produce a final, monumental painting in 1817.

West was born in Pennsylvania, USA, in 1738, but achieved his greatest success in Britain. Moving to London in 1763, he rapidly established himself as one of the country’s leading artists. His status was confirmed when he became a founder member of the Royal Academy in 1768 and he was shortly afterwards appointed History Painter to the King. In 1792 he succeeded Sir Joshua Reynolds as the Academy's second President.

Death on the Pale Horse features alongside a small group of watercolours, drawings and sketchbooks from the Royal Academy Collection to explore West's skills as a draughtsman and the fascination with apocalyptic imagery that emerged during a turbulent era of wars and revolutions.

Supported by the Benjamin West Patrons Group.

The Tennant Room is one of the John Madejski Fine Rooms