WEST (Benjamin). Catalogue of Pictures Representing Christ Rejected, Christ Healing in the Temple, and a Design of Our Saviour's Crucifixion; with Sketches from other Scriptural Subjects; Painted by B. West, Esq. President of the Royal Academy, and Historical Painter to the King: now Exhibiting in Pall-Mall, near Carlton House.1816

London: Printed by C. H. Reynell, First edition, 8vo (200 x 125 mm), 16pp., disbound. West was a was a close friend of Benjamin Franklin, whose portrait he painted. Franklin was also the godfather of West's second son, Benjamin. In 1763, West moved to England, where he was commissioned by King George III to create portraits of members of the royal family. He painted his most famous, and possibly most influential painting, 'The Death of General Wolfe.' in 1770, exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1771. Although originally snubbed by Sir Joshua Reynolds, the famous portrait painter and President of the Royal Academy, and others as over ambitious, the painting became one of the most frequently reproduced images of the period. Many American artists studied under him in London, including Charles Willson Peale, Rembrandt Peale, Gilbert Stuart, John Trumbull, and Thomas Sully. On the verso of the title page is printed an announcement that "Christ Rejected. Mr. West proposes to publish by subscription, a Print, from the above picture, to be engraved by Mr. Scriven, of the dimensions of forty-one inches by thirty-one inches. The price of Proofs to Subscribers (of which only one hundred are to be taken) Eight Guineas each. The price of Prints, Five Guineas each..."