Story of enslaved boy featured in 1748 Joshua Reynolds portrait emerges in new study
Summary
A new research project has uncovered information about a young enslaved boy named Jersey, who appears in a 1748 portrait by artist Sir Joshua Reynolds. Records reveal details about Jersey's identity, baptism, role in the Royal Navy, and suggest he may have eventually gained freedom.Key Facts
- The painting shows naval officer Paul Henry Ourry with an enslaved boy known as Jersey, believed to be Reynolds’ earliest depiction of a person of colour.
- Jersey was about 11 years old when painted, and his real name may have been George Walker after a baptism in 1752.
- Researchers found Jersey listed as “Boston Jersey” in naval records, possibly reflecting a connection to Boston, Massachusetts, and the island of Jersey.
- Evidence suggests Jersey may have served as a crew member on naval ships, rather than only as a servant.
- He appears on Navy pay lists, which could mean he earned wages or that pay was given to Ourry.
- Jersey disappears from records after 1753, leading to theories he was either sold or freed.
- The project was run by the National Trust, National Gallery, and Royal Museums Greenwich to restore voices lost from history.
- Historian David Olusoga highlighted the importance of recognizing people left out of historical stories.
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