Bernardo de Gálvez by José Nicolás de Escalera

A rare eighteenth-century portrait of Spanish military leader Bernardo de Gálvez (1746–1786) by Cuban painter José Nicolás de Escalera makes its U.S. premiere at the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery after more than four generations in private hands. The 1781 oil painting of Gálvez is in  Washington, D.C., as a long-term loan from the Iberdrola Collection. Part of Iberdrola’s “Unveiling Memories” project, which aims to recover and promote the contributions of Spain and Hispanic people to the independence of the United States, the loan coincides with the United States’ 250th anniversary. The painting is on view as part of the Portrait Gallery’s Out of Many: Portraits from 1600 to 1900 exhibition. The presentation of Gálvez’s portrait is curated by Taína Caragol, senior curator of painting and sculpture for the National Portrait Gallery.

Created by Escalera (1734–1804), a self-trained artist considered to be “the first Cuban painter,” the portrait was seemingly painted from life during Gálvez’s stay in Havana and reflects Gálvez's integral role in the American Revolution. Following a notable career in the Spanish military under King Carlos III, Gálvez was made acting governor of the vast territory of Louisiana. During that time, he controlled the port of New Orleans, allowing critical aid to reach the Continental Army through key intermediaries and by circumventing blocked supply chains. After Spain officially declared war on Great Britain in 1779, Gálvez led attacks on and achieved victories at British forts in Baton Rouge, Natchez and Mobile. He then claimed Pensacola for Spain in May 1781, the same year Escalera painted Gálvez’s likeness. Escalera’s portrait later became the basis for other painted and engraved portraits of the Spanish military figure.