The Connoisseur 

Benjamin West, who became known for his grand history paintings, sketched "The Connoisseur" with graphite on paper, offering us a glimpse into the 18th-century art world. West, who was of European descent, lived in a time when art was deeply tied to social status and power. This sketch encapsulates the period's fascination with connoisseurship, where wealthy individuals prided themselves on their refined taste and knowledge of art. It shows a world in which only the privileged could afford to appreciate and collect art. "The Connoisseur" stands, using a cane, in a posture suggesting a critical eye, as an artist is sat painting at an easel. The other figures, perhaps servants, look on. In many ways West challenges these traditional representations by presenting a lighthearted critique of the art world's elitism. The emotional subtleties captured in the figures' expressions invite us to question the values and norms of the time.