Benjamin West: Bridging Worlds, Painting History Born in Springfield, Pennsylvania, in 1738, Benjamin West’s life was a remarkable confluence of transatlantic experience and artistic ambition. His early years were steeped in the rhythms of his family's inn – the Square Tavern in Newtown Square – a setting that instilled in him an appreciation for storytelling and observation, skills he would later translate into his celebrated paintings. Unlike many artists of his time who received formal training, West was entirely self-taught, a testament to his innate talent and relentless dedication. Thi…