West v Copley

[poliphilo]

 I couldn't resist doing this.

West and Copley both painted pictures of the Death of the Earl of Chatham.

The Earl of Chatham- aka Pitt the elder- was the dominant British politician of his age. He suffered a seizure while speaking in the House of Lords- against the American rebels as it happens- and had to be taken home. His actual death occured- in bed- 34 days later but let's not quibble. 

So let's compare the two versions.

Here's West



And here's Copley



Now personally I find the West rather flat and boring and the Copley- with its strong, dramatic lighting and masterly grouping of figures- a tour de force but I'll shut up now and let you make up your own minds.....