Raphael Lamar West
1769-1850
The Forest God
9 7/8 x 14 7/8 inches (251 x 378 mm)
Pen and brown ink and red-brown and tan watercolor, on paper.
1970.11:67
Purchased as the gift of Mrs. Robert H. Charles.
Notes
Watermark: coat of arms with fleur-de-lis surmounted by crown and monogram PG.
This drawing, as well as 1970.11:68, was probably inspired by Raphael West's sojourn in America from 1799-1802. A poem and notes jotted down in West's sketchbook of 1799-1800, at the Rutgers University Library, reveals a fascination with the idea of a "Forest God." Below a poem about a "Forest God" is jotted, "The Savages of North America believe in a Great Spirit inhabiting their Forrests." The drawing can be related to a lithograph of the same subject, signed and dated "R.L. West. 1802," at the British Museum, London.
This drawing, as well as 1970.11:68, was probably inspired by Raphael West's sojourn in America from 1799-1802. A poem and notes jotted down in West's sketchbook of 1799-1800, at the Rutgers University Library, reveals a fascination with the idea of a "Forest God." Below a poem about a "Forest God" is jotted, "The Savages of North America believe in a Great Spirit inhabiting their Forrests." The drawing can be related to a lithograph of the same subject, signed and dated "R.L. West. 1802," at the British Museum, London.
Associated names
Margary, Harry, former owner.
Charles, Robert H., Mrs., donor.
Charles, Robert H., Mrs., donor.
Bibliography
Kraemer, Ruth S. Drawings by Benjamin West and his son Raphael Lamar West. New York : Pierpont Morgan Library, 1975, no. 245, repr.
Artist
Classification
Century Drawings
School
Catalog link
Department