age ~45
from Dover, OH
…In 1760, encouraged by William Smith, Allen had sponsored the young painter Benjamin West's trip to Italy. He established a 100 line of credit for West and, in a letter of introduction in 1760, called him "a young ingenious Painter of this City, who is desirous to improve himself in that Sci...
…The first president of the Royal Academy, Sir Joshua Reynolds, laid the foundation of the Royal Academy collection with the gift of his famous Self-portrait. This was followed by gifts from other founding members, such as Gainsborough and Benjamin West. Subsequently each elected Member was r...