The Life, Studies, and Works of Benjamin West

John Galt was an early 19th century Scottish novelist. In 1824 he moved to Canada to become the secretary for the Canada Company. He later returned to England where he spent a few months in prison for failure to pay his debts. Benjamin West was an Anglo-American painter of historical scenes around the time of the Revolutionary War. In 1760 West traveled to Italy. On his return he was friends with Benjamin Franklin and painted a famous portrait of Franklin. In 1763 he moved to England where he was commissioned to paint portraits of the royal family. West called his style of painting "epic representation" in which his bold use of color, and expressive figures made his paintings come alive.