Benjamin West, P.R.A. (Pennsylvania 1738-1820 London)

The present watercolour shows a scene from the Iliad Book 6, 440-70. West painted at least four versions of this subject and executed a drawing, now in the Getty Museum (von Erffa and Staley, op.cit., no. 165). The present study, however, has a greater range of colour and provides a more intimate interpretation of the leave taking.