Benjamin West

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West: Pylades and Orestes Brought as Victims before Iphigenia

1766
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Additional Information

Pylades and Orestes was painted by Benjamin West ‘immediately on his arrival in England’. It was first shown at the annual exhibition of the Society of Artists, London, in 1766. The narrative is taken from the third act of a play by the classical author Euripides entitled Iphignea in Tauris. In the passage depicted by West, Iphignea, a priestess of Diana, stands in judgement before the semi-naked figures of her brother Orestes (in the red) and his cousin and companion, Pylades. They are brought before her, bound, by the shepherd who had previously reported their capture.

The painting was apparently greatly admired in West’s studio even before it was exhibited, although of the many wealthy collectors who came to inspect it none offered to buy it. It was eventually sold the year of its exhibition.
  • Artist Benjamin West
  • Artwork West: Pylades and Orestes Brought as Victims before Iphigenia
  • Image size 1003 x 1264 mm
  • Material Oil paint on canvas
  • Date of work 1766
  • Credit Presented by Sir George Beaumont Bt 1826
Born in America, Benjamin West made his way to Europe where he spent time painting in Italy before finally settling in England in 1763. According to Sir George Beaumont, West began painting ‘immediately on his arrival in England’. West’s artwork was heavily influenced by neo-classical history paintings by the likes of Gavin Hamilton and Anton Raphael Mengs, whom he had known during his studies in Italy between 1760 and 1763.
  • Product Code S23109
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Delivery & returns

DELIVERY TIMES

We aim to deliver custom prints within 1-2 weeks. For international orders, delivery may take 2-4 weeks.

As each print is handmade to order they take a little longer to prepare. We’ll dispatch your order as soon as it is ready, separately from any other items.

UNFRAMED PRINTS DELIVERY CHARGES

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Rest of world — £50.00 per print

We currently offer free standard delivery on all UK orders over £60. Here’s more information on delivery.

REFUNDS & RETURNS

As custom prints are made to order, unfortunately we cannot accept returns if you have changed your mind or made a mistake.

If we have made a mistake, or there is a problem with your order, then please contact our customer service team at at shop@tate.org.uk.

Here’s more information on refunds & returns.

Delivery & returns

DELIVERY TIMES

We aim to deliver custom prints within 1-2 weeks. For international orders, delivery may take 2-4 weeks.

As each print is handmade to order they take a little longer to prepare. We’ll dispatch your order as soon as it is ready, separately from any other items.

UNFRAMED PRINTS DELIVERY CHARGES

UK — £3.60 per order

Europe — £15.00 per order

Rest of world — £28.00 per order

FRAMED & CANVAS PRINTS DELIVERY CHARGES

UK — £7.50 per print

Europe — £20.00 per print

Rest of world — £50.00 per print

We currently offer free standard delivery on all UK orders over £60. Here’s more information on delivery.

REFUNDS & RETURNS

As custom prints are made to order, unfortunately we cannot accept returns if you have changed your mind or made a mistake.

If we have made a mistake, or there is a problem with your order, then please contact our customer service team at at shop@tate.org.uk.

Here’s more information on refunds & returns.