Richard Westall

Richard Westall (1765-1836) occupies a significant position in the transitional phase of late eighteenth and early nineteenth-century British art. Known primarily as an accomplished illustrator and painter of historical and literary subjects, his work synthesized the grand narrative tradition with an emerging taste for Romantic sensibility and intimate genre scenes.

Westall’s prolific output spanned six decades, earning him widespread recognition across painting and drawing. He found particular distinction in illustrating high-profile literary commissions, often providing frontispieces and finished drawings for popular editions. Examples such as the study Fronticepiece for Tasso's Poems demonstrate his acute ability to translate complex narrative into accessible, dramatic imagery. This blend of polished execution and emotive subject matter made his services highly sought after by publishers and patrons alike. He worked across diverse media, creating finished oil Richard Westall paintings alongside robust watercolor drawings, several of which, including The Reaper (The Harvest Moon) and Lady of the Lake, are now preserved in major institutional collections.

Westall's fame was also secured by his access to, and depiction of, the celebrity figures of the era. He is perhaps best remembered for his iconic portraits of Lord Byron, compositions that largely shaped the public image of the tempestuous poet for generations. One might note that in an age before photography, being painted by Westall was almost as crucial to securing public fame as the scandals themselves. Furthermore, Westall’s authoritative status was confirmed by his appointment as the drawing master to the young Princess Victoria, placing him directly within the orbit of the British monarchy and cementing his role as a prominent arbiter of artistic taste.

Although sometimes overshadowed by the giants of the later Romantic period, Westall’s draftsmanship remains highly regarded. His works, including intimate genre studies like Girl Feeding Pigs and detailed narrative pieces such as Officer Seeking Shelter with his Wife and Children from a Storm (recto), testify to his technical proficiency and observational skill. Today, original examples reside in premier institutions including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the National Gallery of Art, and the Art Institute of Chicago. Given the age of his portfolio, many high-quality prints and downloadable artwork of Westall’s compositions are accessible to the public domain, ensuring his contribution to English illustration and genre painting remains visible and appreciated.