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John McCloskey

John McCloskey
Usage Conditions Apply
Artist
George Peter Alexander Healy, 15 Jul 1813 - 24 Jun 1894
Sitter
John McCloskey, 10 Mar 1810 - 10 Oct 1885
Date
1875
Type
Painting
Medium
Oil on canvas
Dimensions
75.5cm x 63.5cm (29 3/4" x 25"), Accurate
Topic
Costume\Headgear\Religious\Beanie
John McCloskey: Male
John McCloskey: Religion and Spirituality\Clergy\Prelate\Cardinal
John McCloskey: Religion and Spirituality\Clergy\Priest
Portrait
Place
France\Île-de-France\Ville de Paris, Départment de\Paris
Credit Line
National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution; transfer from the National Gallery of Art; gift of Elizabeth McCloskey Cleary, 1951
Restrictions & Rights
CC0
Object number
NPG.65.68
Exhibition Label
Born Brooklyn, New York
The first U.S.-born cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church, John McCloskey served during the turbulent period that accompanied Catholicism’s rapid rise in the United States. McCloskey played a primary role in the spiritual and material growth of the church. From his ordination in 1834 as a priest in the Diocese of New York, through his elevation to bishop (1847), archbishop (1864), and cardinal (1875), McCloskey demonstrated the patience, tact, and discretion that made him effective in resolving discord within the church. His conciliatory approach also helped improve relations with the sometimes-hostile Protestant community.
Approval for McCloskey was so widespread that when Pope Pius IX raised McCloskey to cardinal, Catholics and Protestants alike greeted the news with favor. Four years later, McCloskey presided at the dedication in New York City of St. Patrick’s Cathedral, whose completion was assured thanks to his tireless support of the project.
Nacido en Brooklyn, Nueva York
John McCloskey, primer cardenal estadounidense de la Iglesia católica romana, estuvo activo en los tiempos turbulentos que enmarcaron el rápido ascenso del catolicismo en Estados Unidos. McCloskey tuvo un papel vital en el crecimiento espiritual y material de la Iglesia. Desde su ordenación como sacerdote de la diócesis de Nueva York en 1834 hasta su exaltación a obispo (1847), arzobispo (1864) y cardenal (1875), demostró paciencia, tacto y discreción, cualidades que lo ayudaron a resolver con eficacia las discordias dentro de la Iglesia. Su enfoque conciliador también mejoró las relaciones con la comunidad protestante, a veces hostil.
La buena opinión sobre McCloskey era tan amplia que cuando el papa Pío IX lo elevó a cardenal, tanto católicos como protestantes acogieron la noticia con agrado. Cuatro años después presidió la consagración de la catedral de San Patricio en Nueva York, proyecto terminado gracias a su incansable respaldo.
Provenance
Elizabeth McCloskey Cleary, Washington, D.C.; gift 1951 to NGA for Portrait gallery; transferred 1965 to NPG.
Data Source
National Portrait Gallery
Exhibition
Out of Many: Portraits from 1600 to 1900
On View
NPG, East Gallery 141