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Mar Yohannan: Religion and Spirituality\Clergy\Prelate\Bishop
Justin Perkins: Male
Justin Perkins: Religion and Spirituality\Missionary
Portrait
Credit Line
National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution; gift of Robert L. McNeil, Jr.
Restrictions & Rights
CC0
Object number
S/NPG.91.126.80.A
Exhibition Label
Early America was home to many global citizens. Congregationalist minister Justin Perkins and Assyrian Church of the East bishop Mar Yohannan met in Persia (now Iran) when Perkins lived there as a missionary. Perkins spread his faith as he opened up schools that he believed would improve the lives of Persians. Yohannan taught Perkins the Syriac language; Perkins then translated the New Testament, hymns, and religious tracts into Syriac. Yohannan traveled with Perkins to the United States in 1842 and 1843. Yohannan’s willingness to interact with people of many faiths—including Lutherans, Presbyterians, and Baptists—and his title of “bishop” concerned some Episcopalians. In this portrait, Perkins holds a book and listens to Yohannan speak. Auguste Edouart made Yohannan’s religious, linguistic, and ethnic differences from Perkins clear. Yohannan’s signature in Syriac is glued to the top of the image. His long, tapered beard and hat are distinctive, while his flowing robe is similar to those worn by leaders of other faiths.
Muchos ciudadanos de otros países hicieron su hogar en la joven nación estadounidense. Justin Perkins, ministro congregacionista, y Mar Yohannan, obispo de la Iglesia asiria de Oriente, se conocieron en Persia (actual Irán) cuando el primero hacía labor misionera allí. Perkins predicaba su fe fundando escuelas que creía mejorarían la vida de los persas. Yohannan le enseñó el lenguaje siríaco y Perkins tradujo a éste el Nuevo Testamento, himnos y tratados religiosos. Yohannan viajó con Perkins a Estados Unidos en 1842 y 1843. Su disposición para interactuar con gente de diversa fe (luteranos, presbiterianos, bautistas, etc.) y su título de “obispo” fueron motivo de inquietud para algunos clérigos episcopales. En este retrato, Perkins sostiene un libro y escucha a Yohannan. Auguste Edouart quiso dejar claras las diferencias religiosas, lingüísticas y étnicas entre Yohannan y Perkins. La firma de Yohannan en siríaco está pegada en la parte superior de la imagen. Su larga barba terminada en punta y su sombrero son distintivos, pero su amplia túnica guarda semejanza con las de otros líderes religiosos.
