How is it that an American painter came to define the British Empire? Benjamin West's iconic painting The Death of General Wolfe (1776) depicts the death of James Wolfe, the British commander at the 1759 Battle of Quebec, one of Great Britain's most famous military victories, during what in this country is known as the French and Indian War. The artist went on to produce six versions of the painting, one of which belongs to the William L. Clements Library at the University of Michigan, on display this fall with approximately forty other works, from Michigan, Canadian, and British collections. Docents will introduce the history and art historical significance of this ambitious exhibition.