John Richard West (1757–1783), 4th Earl de la Warr

John Richard West, 4th Earl de la Warr, died in 1783 at only twenty-six, making this portrait a document of a very brief life. The exact date of the painting is unrecorded, but given the sitter's birth year of 1757 and death in 1783, Romney must have painted him during his twenties — a young nobleman who would not live to middle age. The portrait is now held by the National Trust for Scotland. The de la Warr earldom was an ancient English title, and the 4th Earl's short life left limited historical trace beyond the portrait record. Romney painted many members of the English aristocracy during the 1770s and early 1780s, establishing the reputation that would reach its zenith later in the decade. This portrait of a young man who would die young has the poignancy of inadvertent memorial — made as a celebration, now read as a document of premature loss.

The undated canvas shows characteristics consistent with Romney's work in the late 1770s to early 1780s — a period when his handling was developing toward the mature fluency of his peak years. The youthful subject is presented with the composed assurance characteristic of aristocratic male portraiture, the face observed with care, the costume handled economically.