Portrait miniatures: Bernard Lens

Bernard Lens was the leading miniaturist from 1710 to 1740. His main competitor in the market for small portraits was Christian Friedrich Zincke, a fashionable enamel painter. Lens was possibly self-taught. Miniature painting was a popular amateur art at this time and Lens had many aristocratic and royal pupils.

Although Lens was the first British miniaturist to work on ivory, he occasionally painted on vellum. He was also involved with the care of miniatures on vellum, restoring and reframing old family miniatures for aristocratic patrons. In addition, he painted copies of historical portraits for collectors.

Click on the images below for larger versions and more information.

Peter Paul Lens, portrait of Bernard Lens

Peter Paul Lens (about 1714-50)
Portrait of Bernard Lens, the artist's father
1734
Watercolour on ivory
Signed lower left, 'P.P. Lens', and dated '1734'. Inscribed by the artist on the back, 'Bernard Lens / Minature Painter / to his Majesty King George / ye Second', and in Latin, 'P.P.Lens made this' and '1733 Febry y[e] 13'
Museum no. P.20-1946
Purchased with funds from the R.H. Stephenson Bequest

Bernard Lens' grandfather and father were both called Bernard Lens. His grandfather was apparently a 'Dutch preacher' and a painter. His father was a drawing master and printmaker based in London.

Bernard Lens, portrait of Andrew Benjamin Lens

Bernard Lens (1682-1740)
Portrait of Andrew Benjamin Lens, the artist's son
1723
Watercolour on vellum stuck to card
Signed lower left 'BL' in monogram, and dated '1723'. Inscribed faintly on the backing paper, 'A…B… in Lens/… May 25 1723' and in Latin, 'B Lens made this.'
Museum no. P.40-1922

Andrew Benjamin Lens (born about 1713) was also a miniature painter.

Bernard Lens, portrait of Katherine Whitmore

Bernard Lens (1682-1740)
Portrait of Katherine Whitmore
1724
Watercolour on ivory, over graphite underdrawing
Signed lower right 'BL' in monogram. Inscribed on the back, 'Katherine / the daughter of Willm./ and Eliz: Whitmore / 2 years old / painted by B. Lens / Sep. 1724'. A label at the back reads, 'Katherine. Born 1722, married O.S. Brereton Esq. Recorder of Liverpool, died 1800'
Museum no. P.14-1971

This was one of a group of 15 miniatures by Lens of the Whitmore family. He copied their striking blue backgrounds from Elizabethan miniatures.

Bernard Lens, portrait of Colonel Thomas Weld

Bernard Lens (1682-1740)
Portrait of Colonel Thomas Weld
1718
Watercolour on ivory, over graphite underdrawing
Signed lower right 'BL' in monogram. Inscribed on paper support 'Col Tho. Weld /son of Geo. Weld /of Willy esq / an.1718 /by B.Lens'
Museum no. P.63-1987

This is one of a group of miniatures of Colonel Weld's family. He was related by marriage to the family of Katherine Whitmore. Lens probably travelled out of London to paint such family groups.

Bernard Lens, portrait of a Woman

Bernard Lens (1682-1740)
Portrait of a woman, said to be Mary Queen of Scots
About 1720
Watercolour on ivory
Signed lower right, 'BL' in monogram and inscribed in Latin over the sitter's head 'Mary Queen of Scots'
Museum no. P.62-1987

This is a copy of a miniature thought to be of Mary Queen of Scots. The portrait was hugely popular. It was reproduced endlessly in print and Lens made numerous copies.

Bernard Lens, portrait of James I

Bernard Lens
Portrait of James I, after Nicholas Hilliard
About 1730–9
watercolour on vellum
Signed lower right ‘BL’ in monogram and inscribed on the back ‘James Ye I / after Hilyard’ and in Latin ‘Bern Lewis [Lens] made this / 1735’
Museum no. E.594-1994

It was fashionable in the 18th century to collect prints of famous people. Bernard Lens provided up-market versions of such portraits, painted in miniature.