Design for a Wall of the Chapel of Revealed Religion c. 1780

This is Benjamin West's "Design for a Wall of the Chapel of Revealed Religion", from around the late 18th or early 19th century, made with pen, ink, and watercolor. West made his name producing large-scale religious and historical paintings, and this design offers a glimpse into the visual culture of faith at the time. The proposed chapel wall depicts scenes from the life of Christ, presented in a neoclassical style. Notice how West uses architectural frameworks to separate the scenes, almost like a stage set. This was a period of intense religious and political change, when new interpretations of the Bible challenged traditional authority. West’s design, with its emphasis on clarity and order, can be seen as an attempt to reaffirm established religious values in the face of revolutionary upheaval. To understand this design fully, we can examine contemporary sermons, theological debates, and the architecture of churches at the time. This research helps us appreciate how art engaged with the pressing social issues of its day.