Self-Portrait 

Here, Benjamin West captures himself with oil on canvas, his hand poised with a quill over paper. The quill, an instrument of creation and knowledge, signifies not just the act of painting, but also the broader pursuit of intellectual and artistic legacy. Consider the recurring motif of the 'artist with quill', a lineage stretching back to scribes and evangelists. This self-portrait echoes the classical tradition of artists depicting themselves amidst their tools, as seen in earlier works by masters like Rembrandt. The artist’s thoughtful gaze and posture evoke a sense of introspection, engaging us on a subconscious level, drawing from collective memories of artists as contemplative thinkers. Like a modern Janus, West uses the quill to explore themes of creation and self-reflection across time, subtly reminding us that art is not static but a continuous process.