An artwork on Galleree from Cleveland Museum of Art.
About the artwork
Elizabeth Shewell West and Her Son, Raphaelc. 1770
Benjamin West
West was the first American artist to study in Italy, where he spent three years before permanently settling in London. He so admired the artistic ideals of the Italian Renaissance master Raphael that he named his eldest son after him, and he imitated Raphael’s celebrated Madonna of the Chair when composing this tender double portrait of his wife and child.
Born in colonial America, West eventually became a court painter to George III of England.
oil on canvas
Framed: 88 x 87.5 x 9 cm (34 5/8 x 34 7/16 x 3 9/16 in.); Unframed: 66.5 x 66.3 cm (26 3/16 x 26 1/8 in.)
The Charles W. Harkness Gift
In a time long past, when art flowed like a serene river through the streets of Italy, there existed an artist named West. He was a pioneer, the very first American to traverse the ocean and immerse himself in the vibrant culture of Italy. For three unforgettable years, he wandered through sunlit piazzas and shadowy churches, soaking in the beauty that surrounded him.
It was in Italy that he felt a profound connection to the grand ideals of the Renaissance, particularly those embodied by the masterful Raphael. The exquisite brushstrokes and the delicate balances of light and shadow danced in West's mind like a symphony, stirring his soul with inspiration. This admiration ran so deep that he named his eldest son after Raphael himself, a tribute to the artist whose legacy painted West’s world with untold colors.
Years later, as the sun dipped low in the London sky, casting a warm, golden glow upon his canvas, West created a masterpiece, a tender double portrait that whispered love and devotion. Channeling Raphael’s celebrated "Madonna of the Chair," his hands deftly brought to life the enchanting bond between a mother and her child. Each stroke held a piece of emotion, a story of nurturing love woven into the fabric of time.
In this moment, the painter transcended mere representation, capturing not only his wife and son but the very essence of familial warmth and affection. West’s journey from American soil to the heart of Renaissance Italy had shaped him, and now, through this artwork, his own legacy began to bloom, echoing the timeless truths of love that resonates through generations.
About the artist
Creating transformative experiences through art “for the benefit of all the people forever.”The Cleveland Museum of Art is renowned for the quality and breadth of its collection, which includes more than 66,500 artworks and spans 6,000 years of achievement in the arts. The artworks shared on this platform are sourced from the museum's Open Access data under the CC0 license. No endorsement is implied.Address: 11150 East Boulevard, Cleveland, OH, USA 44106
The best place to view Cleveland Museum of Art‘s artwork is on Galleree. Hear the story behind this work, interact with the image, discuss with people, curate your own playlists, and discover so much more from great artists and institutions alike.