William West (about 1793-1861) 'He makes sketches at the drawing parties which delight all who see them, they are chiefly Eastern scenes, buildings, gardens, baths, fountains, subterranean scenes, dark interiors tastefully and ingeniously composed, illuminated by hot sun, cold moons, torchlight and all kinds of natural and preternatural light'. (Dr John King) William West was born in Dartford, Kent and arrived in Bristol about 1823. His earliest works were genre paintings in the manner of Bird, but he was mainly a painter of landscapes and some biblical subjects. His Israelites passing through the Wilderness, preceded by the Pillar of Light is one of the most popular paintings by the Bristol School. He also taught drawing and painting. West was an energetic and engaging man whose interests included engineering, optics, the new art of photography and astronomy. He also involved himself in the plans for the Clifton Suspension Bridge, having an interest in wire cable suspension systems. He rented the derelict old windmill on Clifton Down, converted it into a family home, and installed telescopes and then a camera obscura. This Observatory can still be visited today. He painted many views of Devon and North Wales and then so many views of Scandinavia that he was nicknamed 'Norway' 'Cascade' or 'Waterfall West'. He moved to London about 1857, where he died.