Benjamin West; Portrait of Sir Robert Stuart; Lord of the Admiralty; n.d.; oil on canvas; 30 1/16 in. x 25 3/16 in. (76.36 cm x 63.98 cm); Benjamin West was born in Pennsylvania but lived most of his life in London. As a friend of Sir Joshua Reynolds; West's interest tended primarily toward history painting; though he was a well-versed portraitist as well. After studying in Italy; where he met painters Anton Rafael Mengs and Angelica Kauffman; among others; he was appointed as a historical painter to the court of King George III in 1772. While under George III's patronage from 1772-1801; West also painted several portraits of members of the royal court; of which this portrait is likely one. West became the second president of the Royal Academy after the death of Reynolds; where he taught American painters John Trumbull and Thomas Sully. With the exception of one year; West served as president of the Academy from 1792 until his death in 1820.