Brief Biography-John Smibert was born in Edinburgh in 1688. He began as a house painter in his hometown and went to London, where he made a living coach painting. Smibert spent three years studying under Godfrey Kneller and completed his studies in Italy, copying Titian, Van Dyck, and other masters. Back in London, he was successful as a portraitist and went to America with George Berkeley, later Bishop of Cloyne, to become an art professor in Bermuda; however, he settled in Boston instead. After much success, he opened one of the first art galleries in America. His works influenced American artists such as Trumbull, Peale and Stuart.