The Death Of General Wolfe Analysis

Benjamin West (October 10, 1738 - March 11, 1820) was a recognized American history painter. He painted within and around the times of the American War of Independence and the Seven Years War. For many years he served as the president of the Royal Academy in London. The British Crown took an interest in him and, he was offered knighthood. He turned this down because he believed his desires should be art. "Art is the representation of human beauty, ideally perfect in design, graceful and noble in attitude.” (Benjamin West). Extremely popular among the eighteenth century British elite and nobility, Benjamin West’s work consists of mainly accredited portraits and history paintings. West is best known for his 1770 oil on canvas painting The Death of General Wolfe. This painting caused a lot of problems when it was displayed at the Royal Academy. One of the many reasons for this was because the figures were shown wearing modern clothing rather than the approved classical clothing. Even though there were problems, a lot of people respected the painting and the meaning and recognition behind it. As the times advance, less people see it as an issue and more of an honour to heroism displayed in General Wolfe’s attempt to better the country of Canada. The Death of General Wolfe interprets the Battle of Quebec which fell in the 1700’s. This was a …show more content…
A lot of accomplishment was mainly associated to Wolfe’s impulse and dedication. With that heroism and sacrifice sparked inspiration for Benjamin West to create such a eerie yet beautiful piece that will remain at the Royal Ontario Museum. Not only does the painting represent the talents of West, it will forever serve as a constant reminder of the fight for many rights of Canada, and the brave people who sacrificed so much for our country, including General