Two Angels Singing 

Benjamin West made this drawing, Two Angels Singing, around 1769 using pen and brown ink with grey wash on paper. The choice of materials here is a conscious one, contrasting with his more famous large-scale history paintings done in oil. The delicate lines created by the pen and ink allow for a sense of lightness and ethereality, perfectly suited to the subject matter. The grey wash adds depth and volume, but without the heavy, labored feel of oil paint. West's technique is precise and controlled, yet fluid and expressive. The drawing feels spontaneous and intimate, capturing a fleeting moment of celestial harmony. We might ask: why did he choose this quick and simple method? The answer lies in its accessibility. Unlike the grand oil paintings commissioned by the wealthy elite, drawings like these could be produced more quickly and cheaply, circulated more easily, and appeal to a wider audience. This democratizing effect challenges the traditional hierarchy of artistic mediums, reminding us that beauty and meaning can be found in the simplest of forms.