How does Death on the Pale Horse elucidate its Effect?
Scholars have suggested that Death on the Pale Horse contributed to the rise of French Romanticism following its exhibition in Paris. Others argue that the painting merely affirmed what French artists were already starting to do.The painting influenced William Beckford's interest in paintings depicting scenes from the Book of Revelation, which he commissioned for  Font-hill Abbey, an enormous monument of Gothic Revival architecture. Years later, Beckford continued buying apocalyptic pictures, including Francis Danby's An Attempt to Illustrate the Opening of the Sixth Seal, currently at the National Gallery of Ireland, Dublin. Much later, this would be the inspiration for the painting titled The Great Day on His Wrath (Tate Gallery, London), painted by John Martin, on the same chapter of the Revelation.Other English artists took inspiration from West's work. One was Phillip James de Loutherbourg, who painted The Opening of the Second Seal (Tate Gallery, London), using the pale white horse in The Death of the Pale Horse as a clear model. West's apocalyptic subjects also resemble William Blake's watercolors based on the Book of Revelation.After West's death in 1820, the Annual Register commented that the third version (1817) could "justly be considered as one of the finest productions of modern art." When the painting arrived in New York in 1836, the Weekly Register took note, saying: ""[T]his picture has long been regarded as the chef d'oeuvre of our distinguished countryman. As Americans we feel proud that this great work of art is permanently to remain in this country, and as Philadelphians we are gratified that such a treasure has been added to the already large and valuable collection of works of arts belonging to one of our public institutions."
Font-hill Abbey Annual Register Tate French Romanticism Tate Gallery, London National Gallery of Ireland The Great Day on His Wrath National Gallery of Ireland, Dublin Phillip James de Loutherbourg William Beckford John Martin Francis Danby Philadelphia Book of Revelation Gothic Revival architecture William Blake