West P.R.A., Benjamin (1738 – 1820) – Design for a devil in ‘Death on the Pale Horse’.

West's composition of 'Death on a Pale Horse' was originally intended to form part of his ill-fated project to decorate a new Royal Chapel at Windsor. West made a large drawing for the work in 1784 (Royal Academy 03/6169), an oil sketch in 1796 (Detroit Institute of Art 79.33) and a huge finished canvas in 1817 (Pennsylvania Academy 1836.1), long after George III cancelled the chapel project in 1801. This would appear to be a study for a devil in the back of the composition, behind Death, which has bat-like ears. In all three completed versions, it also has wings.