Benjamin West, P.R.A.

Offered by West's sons to the United States in 1826 (no. 95), but sold by them at London, Robins, 22-25 May 1829, lot 18, for £23.2.0 to Dolman;
With Childs Gallery, Boston, 1957;
Mrs. Wendell P. Colton;
By whose Estate sold, New York, Parke-Bernet Galleries, 13 May 1966, lot 13 (as dated and inscribed 1799 Windsor);
With Ira Spanierman Gallery, New York;
Robert D. Draper, Miami, Florida, by 1968;
Private collector, New York;
From whom acquired by the present owner in 1996.

Possibly London, 125 Pall Mall, 1816, no. 11 ("Wise Men's Offering");
Possibly London, 125 Pall Mall, 1818, no. 7;
London, West's Gallery, 1821, no. 26 or 44;¹
London, West's Gallery, 1822-28, no. 42 or 66.

"A Correct Catalogue of the Works of Mr. West," in Public Characters of 1805, London 1805 (actually published in 1804), p. 564 ("The Kings Bringing Presents to our Saviour," West's House at Windsor);
"A Correct List of the Works of Mr. West," in Universal Magazine, III, 1805, p. 529;
J. Barlow, The Columbiad, A Poem, Philadelphia 1807, p. 434, under note 45;
"A Correct Catalogue of the Works of Benjamin West, Esq.," in La Belle Assemblée or Bell's Court and Fashionable Magazine, IV, 1808, Supplement, p. 16;
J. Galt, "A Catalogue of the Works of Mr. West," in The Life, Studies, and Works of Benjamin West, Esq., President of the Royal Academy of London, London 1820, Appendix II, p. 225;
J. Dillenberger, Benjamin West: The Context of His Life's Work, San Antonio 1977, p. 166, cat. no. 271;
H. von Effra and A. Staley, The Paintings of Benjamin West, New Haven 1986, p. 332, cat. no. 311, reproduced p. 333 (as signed lower left: B. West (?) 1799 Windsor, location unknown).

The canvas has a recent wax relining and a relatively new stretcher. The paint surface is clean beneath a clear varnish and has a slightly pronounced craquelure which has been finely retouched in places. Lines of strengthening retouches have discolored slightly and are faintly in areas such as the the background architecture and in the drapery folds and outlines of the hands and feet in the lower section attending to the abrasion. These could be removed and sensitively reapplied if preferred. The painting is offered in a decoratively carved gilt wood frame.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

According to the 1966 sale catalogue (see Provenance), this painting bore a date and inscription of 1799 Windsor which is no longer visible. This painting relates, with differences, to West’s composition for a window commissioned by George III for St. George’s Chapel, Windsor which was installed in 1796.  The window has since been removed, but the composition is known from old descriptions and the existence of an oil sketch (see A. Staley, under Literature, cat. no. 310).  Staley speculated that if the purported 1799 dating was correct, the present work was probably painted as a modified replica rather than as a preliminary study.

1.  West's Gallery was the artist's home and studio at 14 Newman Street that was converted by his sons after his death into a gallery for the display of his works.