The American School 1765
Matthew Pratt (1734-1805)
Oil on canvas; 36 x 50 1/4 in. (91.4 x 127.6 cm)

Description:
The picture depicts a scene in the London studio of Benjamin West, who is generally agreed to be the figure standing at the left. Based on comparisons to self-portraits, Pratt seems to be the seated figure at the left who is showing a drawing to West. The identities of the other artists represented in the picture remain uncertain. A recent cleaning has revealed that a chalk underdrawing for a portrait of a lady was represented on the easel painting.