Protestant pilgrims are shown on the deck of the ship Speedwell before their departure for the New World from Delfshaven, Holland, on July 22, 1620. William Brewster, holding the Bible, and pastor John Robinson leading Governor Carver, William Bradford, Miles Standish, and their families in prayer. The prominence of women and children suggests the importance of the family in the community. At the left side of the painting is a rainbow, which symbolizes hope and divine protection. The rainbow colors are intentionally atypical with red-white-blue, the colors of the Dutch flag.
One of four scenes of early exploration in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda, 1843 [1]
Weir (1803–1890) had studied art in Italy and taught art at the military academy at West Point.