He lived in London from 1763 until his death in 1820. He succeeded his good friend Sir Joshua Reynolds as President of the Royal Academy. He was noted for his paintings "Death of Wolfe," "Penn's Treaty with the Indians," and numerous royal portraits. Manuscript letter written and signed by West to United States Minister Rufus King, dated August 7, 1802. West was planning an excursion to Paris with his youngest son to view the French National Gallery of Art, and wanted King to help with a letter of introduction to the American Minister at Paris, and with obtaining the necessary passports. West was taking advantage of the brief cessation of hostilities between France and Great Britain produced by the Treaty of Amiens and the following May the fragile peace collapsed, and war was renewed until Napoleon was driven from power more than a decade later! A great letter, with one of the greatest painters of his time arranging an artistic expedition to the art capital of Europe through a tiny window of opportunity in the otherwise turbulent era of the Napoleonic Wars. $2900.00