The paintings in the War Memorial Chapel are from a collection entitled “Revealed Religion” by Benjamin West. King George III commissioned the collection late in the eighteenth century for a chapel at Windsor Castle. West had plans for thirty-five paintings, which were to be rotated by season. The series was never completed, and six of the paintings were eventually lost. Bob Jones University holds seven of the remaining twelve paintings.

The titles of the paintings are as follows:
1. Esau and Jacob Presented to Isaac
2. The Brazen Serpent
3. Isaiah’s Lips Anointed with Fire
4. Christ Coming Up Out of the Jordan
5. The Ascension of Our Lord
6. Peter Preaching at Pentecost
7. Moses and Aaron Before Pharaoh

Born in Springfield, Pennsylvania, Benjamin West was the first American artist to achieve international fame. In 1760 West traveled to Europe for training, eventually settling in England where he became court painter to King George. Although West never returned to America, he remained loyal to the fledgling country. West sent money to support the American Revolution through his friend Benjamin Franklin.

West exerted enormous influence on the development of American painting through the students he tutored in his London studio, including Charles Willson Peale, Gilbert Stuart, John Trumbull, Thomas Sully, and Samuel F.B. Morse. -- M.G.C.