West v Copley
Feb. 7th, 2026 11:58 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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.....
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.....
no subject
Date: 2026-02-07 03:52 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2026-02-07 04:05 pm (UTC)That's odd, because I find the Copley very quiet and still. A hush has descended on the talking shop. Normal business has been suspended and political enemies stand united in the face of death.