A Prophet (?) with His Left Arm Raised

A copy in pen and ink thought to have been drawn by Benjamin West after a pen and wash drawing by Guercino (number 2637), held in the British Royal Collection at Windsor Castle since the mid 1760s. West could have sketched this freely-based copy after he was appointed history painter to King George III in 1772. The artist has exaggerated Guercino's dynamic style of looping lines and swirling drapery. The dramatic gesturing man seems to reflect the figure-type in some of West's own paintings, such as the 'Return of the Prodigal Son' dated 1772 (Allentown Art Museum, Pennsylvania).