Death on the Pale Horse 1796

Benjamin West made this apocalyptic oil on canvas, Death on the Pale Horse, during a time of revolution and upheaval. Looking at the composition, we see an emphasis on dramatic movement, dynamic diagonals, and heightened emotion. Its visual codes are pulled straight from the Book of Revelation. West gives us Death riding his pale horse, followed by hell, and with him comes war, famine, and pestilence. This imagery reflects a culture steeped in religious symbolism, but it's also important to note the historical context of this work. Created during a time of revolution in France and America, it is likely that West's vision of the apocalypse reflects the anxieties and uncertainties of his time. We might see this painting as a commentary on the social structures of his own time, a critique of the old order being swept away by revolutionary forces. Historians would use resources from the time such as political pamphlets, newspaper articles, and personal letters, to deepen our understanding of this work. Art doesn't exist in a vacuum.