Focus on Death on the Pale Horse and explain the Second version.
This painting was exhibited at the Royal Academy of Arts in 1796 under the title The opening of the four seals (vide Revelation); a sketch for His Majesty's Chapel, Windsor. West then took advantage of the Peace of Amiens in 1802 and exhibited this version at the Paris Salon, where it received positive reviews.West's approach to the subject is similar to his earlier drawing. The central figure of the painting is Death, which is riding a pale horse, and is surrounded by other apocalyptic creatures." The proposed painting for the chapel at Windsor was expected to be part of a series illustrating biblical passages from the Book of Genesis through the Book of Revelation.The project was commissioned by King George III, who had been a supporter of West since 1768. This Windsor chapel series was supposed to be the King's most generous act of patronage. West contributed eighteen large works and various small paintings for the chapel before he was told in 1801 to cease work on the project. The fact that the project was never completed makes it difficult to determine the place that Death on the Pale Horse was meant to occupy in the series.
Royal Academy of Arts Book of Genesis King George III George III Book of Revelation