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George William West (1770-1795)


William Hammond Dorsey, by George William West, c. 1794-1795. Oil on canvas. 13 25/32 x 9 1/64 in.(35 x 22.9 cm.) Maryland Historical Society Accession: xx-4-225.
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Laurana Proud (Mrs. John Proud), by George William West, c. 1790-1815. Oil on panel. 9 3/4 x 8 3/16 in. (24.8 x 20.8 cm.) Maryland Historical Society, Accession: xx-4-215.
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Sybil West Holland (Mrs. Francis Utie Holland), by George William West, c. 1789-1795. Oil on canvas. 14 3/32 x 10 1/32 in. (35.8 x 25.5 cm.) Maryland Historical Society, Accession: 1949-118-1.
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Medium/Discipline: Painting
Birthplace: St. Mary's County, Maryland
Place of Death: Baltimore, Maryland
Maryland Affiliation: Born here, Active while in residence
Prominent Theme: Portraits
Gender: Male
Race/Ethnicity: White
Biography: George William West, who passed away at the young age of 25 due to tuberculosis, was the son of Reverand William West of St. Paul's Parish of Baltimore. As a youth, George West went to London to study with Benjamin West (not a relative), who assisted in his student's admission into the Academy of Fine Arts there. George West had intended to travel to Italy, but returned home in 1790 due to ill health. He is buried at St. Paul's Churchyard in Baltimore. Scholar J. Hall Pleasants cites an obituary that says, "The public have to regret an artist of whom they had formed just and high expectation."
Education/Training: Academy of Fine Arts, London
Taught By: Benjamin West
Selected References: Pleasants, J. Hall. Two Hundred and Fifty Years of Painting in Maryland (Baltimore: Baltimore Museum of Art), 1945.
Maryland Institutions Holding Artworks: Maryland Historical Society
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