Bishop George Berkeley

Born near Kilkenny, Ireland

In 1726, the Anglican clergyman and philosopher George Berkeley wrote, “Westward the course of empire takes its way,” a verse that later fueled the expansionist ambitions of the United States. Three years later, Berkeley journeyed to Newport, Rhode Island, in the company of the Scottish-born artist John Smibert, who painted this portrait shortly before their departure from London. Berkeley appears in clerical robes, pointing toward Bermuda, where he hoped to establish a missionary college. His plan, which went unrealized, was to transport young Native Americans to Bermuda (by force, if necessary), convert them to Christianity, and train them alongside young Englishmen. Having failed to secure funding for the school, Berkeley eventually left Newport and returned to London. Smibert, who had planned to be an art teacher at the Bermuda college, relocated to Boston and became one of the first professionally trained portraitists in the North American colonies.

Nacido cerca de Kilkenny, Irlanda

En 1726, el clérigo y filósofo anglicano George Berkeley escribió: “Hacia el oeste toma rumbo el imperio”, verso que incitaría luego las ambiciones expansionistas de Estados Unidos. Tres años después, Berkeley viajó a Newport, Rhode Island, en compañía del artista escocés John Smibert, quien pintó este retrato poco antes de que partieran de Londres. Berkeley aparece con su hábito de clérigo, señalando hacia las Bermudas, donde esperaba establecer un colegio misionero. Su plan, que resultó fallido, era transportar a jóvenes indígenas americanos a las Bermudas (por la fuerza, si era necesario), convertirlos al cristianismo y educarlos junto a jóvenes ingleses. Sin poder obtener los fondos para la escuela, Berkeley terminó por regresar de Newport a Londres. Smibert, quien pensaba ser maestro de arte en la escuela de las Bermudas, se radicó en Boston y fue uno de los primeros retratistas de formación profesional en las colonias norteamericanas.

Sarah Monck, wife of John Monck; by descent throught the Moncks of Coley Park, Reading, England; Stanley Bligh Monck, eldest son of Arthur Stanley Monck, great-great-grandson of John Monck, until 1970; (Christie’s London, 19 June 1970); purchased by John Kerslake; (Hirschl & Adler Galleries, New York), 1982; purchased NPG 1989