Benjamin West, P.R.A. (Springfield, Pennsylvania 1738-1820 London)

The Death of Dido, with Aeneas' departing ships in the background

Details

Benjamin West, P.R.A. (Springfield, Pennsylvania 1738-1820 London)
The Death of Dido, with Aeneas' departing ships in the background
signed and dated 'B. West 1783' (lower left)
pen and brown ink, brown wash
10 7/8 x 15 1/8 in. (27.8 x 38.6 cm.)

Provenance

The Earls of Warwick (L. 2600).

Literature

'A Correct Catalogue of the Works of Mr West ', Public Characters of 1805, London, 1805, p. 568.
'A Correct List of the Works of Mr West,' Universal Magazine, III, 1805, p. 531.
J. Galt, The Life, Studies, and Works of Benjamin West, Esq., President of the Royal Academy of London, London, 1820, p. 232.
J. Dillenberger, Benjamin West: The Context of His Life's Work, San Antonio, 1977, p. 182, no. 435.
H. von Effra and A. Staley, The Paintings of Benjamin West, New Haven and London, 1986, p. 256, under no. 179.

Lot Essay

The present drawing, along with a painting of Aeneas and Creusa, dated circa 1771 (New York Historical Society) are the only two known subjects West took from Virgil's Aeneid.

The 4th Earl of Warwick amassed a great collection of Old Master and British drawings. Begun by his uncle Sir Charles Greville (1763-1832, L. 549), who served alongside the first Duke of Wellington, under George Guy Greville, 4th Earl (1818-1893) the collection was expanded and enriched. The majority, a group of 454 drawings, was sold in these Rooms on 20 and 21 May, 1896.

We are grateful to Allen Staley for his help in preparing this catalogue entry.

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