Skip to main content
Washington University in St. Louis
Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts

Create an account to add artworks to your personal collections.

Enter your email address below to recieve an email to reset your password.

An email has been sent to your inbox to reset your password.

image alt

Benjamin West

The Submission of Prince John to Richard I

c. 1792–94

image alt
1 / 1

Born in Philadelphia, Benjamin West was the first American-born artist to gain international recognition. After traveling in Italy he settled in London, where in 1772 he was named Royal Painter of Historical Scenes by King George III and later helped found the Royal Academy. West specialized in large-scale historical and biblical scenes, often used for instructive purposes, such as this work, which depicts a scene from medieval British history that was painted for the publisher Robert Bowyer, who included an engraving of it in his 1805 illustrated edition of David Hume’s The History of England. In this image Prince John is shown kneeling at the feet of his brother, King Richard I, begging for forgiveness for betraying him during Richard’s imprisonment en route home from the Third Crusade. Their mother, Queen Eleanor, intercedes on John’s behalf, pleading with outstretched arms at left, while a bishop and courtiers look on. The dramatic gestures and the shallow architectural space create a markedly theatrical effect, one influenced in part by West’s study of Renaissance and Baroque works during his early travels in Italy. [Permanent collection label, 2016]

  • Artist Benjamin West (American, 1738–1820)
  • Title The Submission of Prince John to Richard I
  • Date c. 1792–94
  • Medium Oil on canvas
  • Dimensions unframed | 78 1/2 x 60 1/4 in.
  • Credit line University purchase, Bixby Fund
  • Object number WU 2222

Real / Radical / Psychological: The Collection on Display
Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum, Washington University in St. Louis, 09/09/2016 - 01/15/2017

Art in the Age of Revolution
Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum, Washington University in St. Louis, 09/02/1997 - 10/12/1997

Opening Exhibition of Mark C. Steinberg Memorial Hall
Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum, Washington University in St. Louis, 04/29/1960

British Institution (regular annual exhibition)
Venue Unknown (London, England)

Inscription Lower left: B. West 79

This artwork record may be incomplete or need refinement. Our staff actively researches the collection and revises records when new information is available. If you have questions or comments about this record, please contact us.

Related Content

go to Art in the Age of Revolution page
no image
Exhibitions

Art in the Age of Revolution

September 02, 1997–October 12, 1997
go to British Institution (regular annual exhibition) page
no image
Exhibitions

British Institution (regular annual exhibition)

go to Opening Exhibition of Mark C. Steinberg Memorial Hall page
no image
Exhibitions

Opening Exhibition of Mark C. Steinberg Memorial Hall

April 29, 1960
go to Real / Radical / Psychological: The Collection on Display page
no image
Exhibitions

Real / Radical / Psychological: The Collection on Display

September 09, 2016–January 15, 2017

Image Reproduction Request Form

To request image materials and/or permission to reproduce a work of art from the Museum's collection, please complete and submit the form below. The information you provide here will enable us to process your request and assess the appropriate images, permissions, and any applicable fees. 

Typically, image requests that do not require new photography can be completed within three weeks. Whenever possible, rush orders may be accommodated, although additional fees may apply.

If you have questions, please contact Kristin Good, associate registrar, at kristin.good@wustl.edu.

Checking this box constitutes a legal signature. By checking this box, the applicant agrees to abide by all terms and conditions under which permission is granted to reproduce works of art in the collection of the Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum, and that permission is contingent upon payment of any applicable fees.

* Required fields

test View details