John Smibert Paintings

John Smibert, also spelled Smybert, was a Scottish-American artist who was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1688. Smibert began his career as a house painter in Edinburgh, but his interest in art led him to London, where he studied under Sir James Thornhill. He furthered his studies by traveling to Italy in 1719, where he was influenced by the works of the old masters. After spending four years in Italy, he returned to London and worked as a portraitist.

In 1728, Smibert followed Bishop Berkeley to America, with the initial intention to establish a college in Bermuda. Although the college project did not materialize, Smibert settled in Boston, Massachusetts, where he became one of the most prominent portrait painters in the New England colonies. His style was heavily influenced by European baroque and had a significant impact on American colonial art.

Smibert opened one of the first art studios in America and taught many aspiring artists, thus playing a crucial role in the early American art scene. His most famous work is 'The Bermuda Group,' which depicts Bishop Berkeley and his entourage. Smibert's legacy includes a collection of his works at Yale University, which is considered a cornerstone of American art history. He passed away in Boston in 1751, leaving behind a substantial body of work that continues to be studied and appreciated for its historical value and artistic merit.