The Baltimore Museum of Art has acquired a new painting by the American artist Benjamin West (1738-1820) to complement the fine West self-portrait already in its collection.

"St. Michael and Satan" (1776), which is on view in the American paintings gallery in the Pope building, is typical of the artist's narrative paintings. It was purchased by the museum from a dealer at the annual BMA antiques show in April.

West completed the work while he was court painter to George III of England and president of the Royal Academy of Arts, where he taught many American artists of the following generation, including Gilbert Stuart, John Singleton Copley and Charles Wilson Peale and his son, Rembrandt.

The Baltimore Museum of Art is located at Charles Street and Art Museum Drive. Hours are Wednesday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission is $6, $4 seniors and students, free for ages 18 and under and BMA members; also free on Thursdays. Call 410-396-7100.