{"product_id":"elizabeth-shewell-west-and-her-son-raphael-benjamin-west","title":"Elizabeth Shewell West and Her Son, Raphael - Benjamin West","description":"\u003cp\u003eA tender portrait by Benjamin West depicting his wife and son, composed in the style of a traditional Madonna and Child.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBenjamin West, an American painter who spent the majority of his career in London, produced this intimate portrait of his wife, Elizabeth Shewell West, and their son, Raphael, around 1770. The composition adopts the format of a Madonna and Child, a traditional motif in Western art history that West adapts here to depict his own family. The circular framing, or tondo, focuses the viewer on the physical closeness between mother and child.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eElizabeth is shown in profile, her gaze directed softly towards the viewer, while the young Raphael rests against her shoulder. West employs a restrained palette, dominated by deep shadows and muted tones, which directs attention to the pale skin of the figures and the white fabric of the child's garment. The green mantle draped over Elizabeth provides a subtle contrast to the darker background. West was known for his historical paintings, yet this work demonstrates his ability to apply the same formal rigour to domestic subjects. The brushwork is smooth, characteristic of the Neoclassical style, which prioritised clarity of form and balanced composition over expressive texture.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis portrait reflects the personal life of the artist during his time in Britain, where he became a founding member of the Royal Academy of Arts. By utilising the visual language of religious iconography for a private family portrait, West elevates the status of his subjects. The painting remains a clear example of the portraiture conventions prevalent in the late eighteenth century, where domestic affection was often framed through the lens of classical or historical precedent. The work is held in the collection of the Yale University Art Gallery, providing a window into the private world of one of the most successful painters of his era.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"margin-top:2rem;padding-top:1.5rem;border-top:1px solid #e5e5e5;\"\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:0.85rem;color:#888;font-weight:600;margin:0 0 0.75rem;text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:0.05em;\"\u003eYou might also like\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;gap:0.5rem;\"\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/een-man-met-hoed-op-de-rug-gezien-joannes-bemme\" style=\"display:inline-block;background:#f8f9fa;border:1px solid #e5e5e5;border-radius:20px;padding:0.35rem 0.85rem;font-size:0.8rem;color:#2a555a;font-weight:500;text-decoration:none !important;background-image:none !important;\"\u003eEen man met hoed op de rug gezien - Joannes Bemme — Johannes Adriaansz. Bemme\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/morning-james-peake\" style=\"display:inline-block;background:#f8f9fa;border:1px solid #e5e5e5;border-radius:20px;padding:0.35rem 0.85rem;font-size:0.8rem;color:#2a555a;font-weight:500;text-decoration:none !important;background-image:none !important;\"\u003eMorning - James Peake — James Peake\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Benjamin West","offers":[{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ Small Square (30x30 cm) \/ -","offer_id":58636812484943,"sku":null,"price":37.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ Medium Square (40x40 cm) \/ -","offer_id":58637104316751,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ Large Square (50x50 cm) \/ -","offer_id":58637104349519,"sku":null,"price":55.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ Small Square (30x30 cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":58637104382287,"sku":null,"price":59.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ Small Square (30x30 cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":58637104415055,"sku":null,"price":59.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ Small Square (30x30 cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":58637104447823,"sku":null,"price":59.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ Medium Square (40x40 cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":58637104480591,"sku":null,"price":90.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ Medium Square (40x40 cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":58637104513359,"sku":null,"price":90.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ Medium Square (40x40 cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":58637104546127,"sku":null,"price":90.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ Large Square (50x50 cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":58637104578895,"sku":null,"price":99.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ Large Square (50x50 cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":58637104611663,"sku":null,"price":99.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ Large Square (50x50 cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":58637104644431,"sku":null,"price":99.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0833\/9292\/1935\/files\/Elizabeth-Shewell-West-and-Her-Son-Raphael_Poster_CompositorV1_1788276549880.jpg?v=1788277370","url":"https:\/\/www.solisprints.co.uk\/products\/elizabeth-shewell-west-and-her-son-raphael-benjamin-west","provider":"Solis Prints","version":"1.0","type":"link"}