After Benjamin West, Self-Portrait of Benjamin West, about 1763. National Gallery of Art, Gift of Louise Alida Livingston 1942.8.39

When he returned to London, Copley was strongly influenced by Benjamin West, who encouraged young painters to study the art of antiquity. In addition to being a strong advocate of neoclassicism, West also helped initiate a new attitude toward history painting, which was then considered the highest form of art.