Final answer:
Benjamin West's 'The Death of General Wolfe' is a groundbreaking 1770 history painting portraying General Wolfe's death in a Christ-like manner, reflecting West's innovative approach in depicting contemporary events instead of classical or biblical narratives, while also using significant artistic license.
Step-by-step explanation:
Benjamin West and 'The Death of General Wolfe'
The painting The Death of General Wolfe by Benjamin West, created in 1770, is a significant work in the realm of history painting. West, an artist born in the territory that would become Pennsylvania, is often claimed by American historians as an American artist, despite his global influence and challenging-to-classify style. Contrary to tradition, West chose a near-contemporary event—the death of General Wolfe, which occurred in 1759, only seven years prior to the painting's creation—over the more typical classical or biblical scenes expected in history paintings of the time. In doing so, West broke from the conventions of the time and helped define a new genre of 'contemporary' history painting followed by artists like John Singleton Copley and John Trumbull.
In the painting, West depicts General Wolfe as a Christ-like figure, drawing on his experiences and exposure to Italian art which often featured the dead Christ. This choice underscores Wolfe's perceived noble attributes and aligns him with the concept of a martyr, reinforcing the message of his sacrifice for the British cause in North America. Despite this romanticized portrayal, historical accuracy is compromised as many of the figures in the painting were not present at Wolfe's death, demonstrating West's use of artistic license.