Miniature
ca. 1720 (made)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
Sarah Churchill (1660-1744), wife of John Churchill, held a great deal of influence in her position as Mistress of the Robes and Keeper of the Privy Purse to Queen Anne. She and the queen famously quarrelled in 1707 and she was later dismissed from court.
Continental artists first introduced enamel painting to England in the 17th century. But it was in the early 18th century that it became fashionable. The young German Christian Friedrich Zincke dominated the market in London. It was Zincke who trained a number of English artists, including William Prewett. Most artists working in enamel were taught by an experienced enameller. It is not known who trained Gervase Spencer this difficult art, but he later taught Henry Spicer, who in turn taught William Birch. In 1794 Birch successfully established himself in America as an enamel painter.
Sir Arthur Gilbert and his wife Rosalinde formed one of the world's great decorative art collections, including silver, mosaics, enamelled portrait miniatures and gold boxes. Arthur Gilbert donated his extraordinary collection to Britain in 1996.
Continental artists first introduced enamel painting to England in the 17th century. But it was in the early 18th century that it became fashionable. The young German Christian Friedrich Zincke dominated the market in London. It was Zincke who trained a number of English artists, including William Prewett. Most artists working in enamel were taught by an experienced enameller. It is not known who trained Gervase Spencer this difficult art, but he later taught Henry Spicer, who in turn taught William Birch. In 1794 Birch successfully established himself in America as an enamel painter.
Sir Arthur Gilbert and his wife Rosalinde formed one of the world's great decorative art collections, including silver, mosaics, enamelled portrait miniatures and gold boxes. Arthur Gilbert donated his extraordinary collection to Britain in 1996.
Object details
Categories | |
Object type | |
Materials and techniques | Enamel on copper, gilded copper alloy frame |
Brief description | Enamel miniature on copper of Sarah, Duchess of Marlborough, gilded copper alloy frame, England, ca. 1720, by Christian Frederick Zincke. |
Physical description | Oval portrait miniature of Sarah, Duchess of Marlborough, wearing a black dress and a black veil (possibly widow's weeds). The miniature is enamel on copper and the frame is gilded copper alloy engraved with an inscription. |
Dimensions |
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Marks and inscriptions | Engraved 'Sarah Jennings, Duchess of Marlborough, by Zincke' (In block letters on back of frame) |
Gallery label | Sarah Churchill, Duchess of Marlborough
About 1720
Sarah Churchill (1660–1744), wife of John Churchill, held
the influential positions of Mistress of the Robes and
Keeper of the Privy Purse to Queen Anne. She and the
queen famously quarrelled in 1707 and she was later
dismissed from court.
England; Christian Friedrich Zincke (about 1683–1767)
Enamel on copper in gilded copper-alloy frame
Engraved in block letters on back of frame
‘Sarah Jennings Duchess of Marlborough by Zincke’
Museum no. Loan:Gilbert.292-2008(2009) |
Credit line | The Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Collection on loan to the Victoria and Albert Museum, London |
Object history | Provenance: Spencer family, Althorp. S.J. Phillips, London, 01/08/1997. |
Subject depicted | |
Summary | Sarah Churchill (1660-1744), wife of John Churchill, held a great deal of influence in her position as Mistress of the Robes and Keeper of the Privy Purse to Queen Anne. She and the queen famously quarrelled in 1707 and she was later dismissed from court. Continental artists first introduced enamel painting to England in the 17th century. But it was in the early 18th century that it became fashionable. The young German Christian Friedrich Zincke dominated the market in London. It was Zincke who trained a number of English artists, including William Prewett. Most artists working in enamel were taught by an experienced enameller. It is not known who trained Gervase Spencer this difficult art, but he later taught Henry Spicer, who in turn taught William Birch. In 1794 Birch successfully established himself in America as an enamel painter. Sir Arthur Gilbert and his wife Rosalinde formed one of the world's great decorative art collections, including silver, mosaics, enamelled portrait miniatures and gold boxes. Arthur Gilbert donated his extraordinary collection to Britain in 1996. |
Bibliographic references |
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Other numbers |
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Collection | |
Accession number | LOAN:GILBERT.292-2008 |
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Record created | June 26, 2008 |
Record URL |
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