Manner of Benjamin West (British/American 1738-1820)

Artist: Manner of Benjamin West (British/American 1738-1820).
Title: Elijah and the Chariot of Fire.
Medium: Pen and bistre ink on paper.
Image Size: Height: 14.5 cm x Width: 14.5 cm.
Framed Size: Height: 33 cm x Width: 30.5 cm x Depth: 2.5 cm.
Provenance: Private Collection Surrey UK.

About: The drawing depicts Elijah being taken to heaven in a chariot by a whirlwind. This is possibly a preliminary drawing for a ceiling design in pen and ink that has been squared for transfer. This is a practice whereby drawings are overlaid with a grid. The artist then draws a larger proportional grid to his final surface and the section in each square is redrawn on the final surface. This enables an accurate reproduction of the original working drawing.

This drawing is in the manner of Benjamin West, who produced several notable ceiling decorations including the Royal Chapel, Windsor Castle.