Benjamin West: Bridging America and the Neoclassical Ideal Born in Springfield, Pennsylvania, in 1738 – a location now recognized as Swarthmore – Benjamin West’s life was one of remarkable transatlantic movement and artistic evolution. His early years were marked by an unconventional education, largely self-taught thanks to his parents' encouragement and a keen eye for observation. Unlike many artists of the era who pursued formal training in Europe, West honed his skills through direct engagement with the natural world, learning about pigments from Native Americans and developing a foundati…