Fine Art Poster
From $29
A giclée print on 200gsm matte fine art paper, using a twelve-colour process for accurate, fade-resistant colour. Supplied unframed, delivered flat or rolled.
The Meeting of Lear and Cordelia - Benjamin West
Regular price
$29.00 USD
Sale price
$29.00 USD
Regular price
Archival giclée
Frames arrive ready to hang
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Made to order
Description
A dramatic depiction of the reconciliation between King Lear and Cordelia, painted by Benjamin West for the Shakespeare Gallery in 1783.
Benjamin West, an American-born painter who spent the majority of his career in London, produced this work as part of a series commissioned by John Boydell for the Shakespeare Gallery. The painting depicts a scene from Act IV of Shakespeare's King Lear, capturing the moment of reconciliation between the aged, fragile monarch and his daughter, Cordelia. West employs a theatrical composition, placing the figures in a dimly lit interior that focuses the viewer's attention on the emotional exchange between the two protagonists.
Lear, dressed in red, reclines in a state of physical and mental exhaustion, his white hair and beard suggesting his advanced age and the toll of his recent trials. Cordelia, positioned to his left, leans forward with a gesture of tenderness, her white dress providing a visual contrast to the deeper tones of the surrounding environment. A male attendant stands behind Lear, offering support, while figures in the background observe the scene from the shadows of an archway. The heavy drapery above the figures adds to the sense of a staged performance, a common device in West's historical compositions.
West was a significant figure in the Royal Academy of Arts, serving as its second president. His approach to history painting often involved a careful balance of classical structure and dramatic narrative. In this work, he avoids excessive ornamentation, choosing instead to prioritise the psychological weight of the encounter. The palette is dominated by warm, earthy tones, with the red of Lear's robes and the golden yellow of Cordelia's skirt creating a sense of visual harmony. This print captures the precise brushwork and the chiaroscuro effects that West utilised to convey the gravity of the Shakespearian source material.
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Because every print is made to order, we don't offer change-of-mind returns, refunds or exchanges. If your order arrives faulty, damaged or incorrect, we'll replace it free of charge — just contact us within 48 hours of delivery. See our refunds page for full details.
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We ship worldwide, printing at the production hub nearest to your delivery address. Delivery times and costs vary by destination — you'll see the options available to you at checkout.
Manufacturing
Each print is produced to order using 12-colour giclée printing on FSC-certified archival paper. Designed in Britain and printed at your nearest production hub to reduce waste and speed up delivery.
Complete The Look
The Meeting of Lear and Cordelia - Benjamin West
Regular price
From $29.00 USD
Sale price
From $29.00 USD
Regular price
Fine Art Poster / A4 (21x29.7 cm) / -
Artist Biography
Benjamin West
West's The Death of General Wolfe (1770) broke a two-thousand-year convention by depicting a contemporary military event in modern dress rather than classical garb. The Royal Academy's president, Joshua Reynolds, tried to talk him out of it. The painting was a sensation, and the convention was broken for good.
He was born in Springfield, Pennsylvania, in 1738, a Quaker-raised boy from the colonies who became the second president of the Royal Academy in London, holding the post for twenty-eight years. He arrived in England in 1763 after studying in Italy and quickly gained the patronage of George III, serving as the king's historical painter from 1772 to 1801.
He trained a generation of American painters in London, including Gilbert Stuart, Charles Willson Peale, Samuel Morse and John Trumbull. Each returned to America and shaped the new nation's visual culture. West stayed in London and died there in 1820, at eighty-one.
He was born in Springfield, Pennsylvania, in 1738, a Quaker-raised boy from the colonies who became the second president of the Royal Academy in London, holding the post for twenty-eight years. He arrived in England in 1763 after studying in Italy and quickly gained the patronage of George III, serving as the king's historical painter from 1772 to 1801.
He trained a generation of American painters in London, including Gilbert Stuart, Charles Willson Peale, Samuel Morse and John Trumbull. Each returned to America and shaped the new nation's visual culture. West stayed in London and died there in 1820, at eighty-one.
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Specific Features
Every Solis piece is made to order with archival, gallery-quality materials built to last.
- Museum-grade giclée printing for rich, fade-resistant colour
- Archival matte fine-art paper, FSC-certified
- Multiple sizes and framing options available
- Frames in black, natural wood, dark wood or white
- Framed prints arrive ready to hang
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To keep your artwork looking its best:
- Dust gently with a soft, dry cloth
- Avoid prolonged direct sunlight
- Never use liquid cleaners on the print or canvas surface
- Keep in a dry, room-temperature space
- Handle prints with clean, dry hands
Materials & Sizing
Museum-grade giclée on FSC-certified archival matte paper, with framed and canvas options.
- Paper sizes: A4, A3, A2, A1, A0 and B2 (50×70 cm)
- Canvas: XS (20×30 cm) to Large (60×90 cm)
- Frames: black, natural wood, dark wood or white
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Every piece is printed to order. These are the five finishes, and what makes each one different.
Fine Art Framed
From $89
The same fine art print in a solid wood frame with UV-protective acrylic glaze and rigid backing. Five frame colours. Arrives ready to hang.
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Artist Biography
Benjamin West
West's The Death of General Wolfe (1770) broke a two-thousand-year convention by depicting a contemporary military event in modern dress rather than classical garb. The Royal Academy's president, Joshua Reynolds, tried to talk him out of it. The painting was a sensation, and the convention was broken for good.
He was born in Springfield, Pennsylvania, in 1738, a Quaker-raised boy from the colonies who became the second president of the Royal Academy in London, holding the post for twenty-eight years. He arrived in England in 1763 after studying in Italy and quickly gained the patronage of George III, serving as the king's historical painter from 1772 to 1801.
He trained a generation of American painters in London, including Gilbert Stuart, Charles Willson Peale, Samuel Morse and John Trumbull. Each returned to America and shaped the new nation's visual culture. West stayed in London and died there in 1820, at eighty-one.
He was born in Springfield, Pennsylvania, in 1738, a Quaker-raised boy from the colonies who became the second president of the Royal Academy in London, holding the post for twenty-eight years. He arrived in England in 1763 after studying in Italy and quickly gained the patronage of George III, serving as the king's historical painter from 1772 to 1801.
He trained a generation of American painters in London, including Gilbert Stuart, Charles Willson Peale, Samuel Morse and John Trumbull. Each returned to America and shaped the new nation's visual culture. West stayed in London and died there in 1820, at eighty-one.
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