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Not currently on display at the V&A

Miniature

ca. 1710 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

John Churchill (1650-1722), was a great military leader who supported William of Orange during the overthrow of James II. Serving Queen Anne, he later defeated the Franco-Bavarian army at the Battle of Blenheim in 1704.

Continental artists first introduced enamel painting to England in the 17th century, however it became particularly fashionable in the early 18th century. The young German Christian Friedrich Zincke was one of the most important enamel painters of the period and went on to train other significant artists such as William Prewett and Jeremiah Meyer.

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
Brief description
Enamel miniature on copper of John, Duke of Marlborough, England, ca. 1710, by Christian Frederick Zincke.
Physical description
Oval portrait miniature of John, Duke of Marlborough, wearing a blue cape and the collar of the Order of the Garter. The miniature is enamel on copper and the frame is engraved with an inscription.
Dimensions
  • Height: 9.28cm
  • Width: 6.31cm
  • Depth: 1.13cm
Updated with measurements taken 02/09/08
Marks and inscriptions
Engraved 'John Duke of Marlborough' (On back of frame)
Gallery label
John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough About 1710 John Churchill (1650–1722) was a military leader who supported William III of Orange during the overthrow of James II. Serving Queen Anne, he later defeated the Franco-Bavarian army at the Battle of Blenheim in 1704. England; Christian Friedrich Zincke (about 1683–1767) Enamel on copper in gilded metal frame Engraved on back of frame ‘John Duke of Marlborough’ Museum no. Loan:Gilbert.288-2008(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
John Churchill (1650-1722), was a great military leader who supported William of Orange during the overthrow of James II. Serving Queen Anne, he later defeated the Franco-Bavarian army at the Battle of Blenheim in 1704.

Continental artists first introduced enamel painting to England in the 17th century, however it became particularly fashionable in the early 18th century. The young German Christian Friedrich Zincke was one of the most important enamel painters of the period and went on to train other significant artists such as William Prewett and Jeremiah Meyer.

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
  • Coffin, Sarah and Bodo Hofstetter. Portrait Miniatures in Enamel. London: Philip Wilson Publishers Ltd. in association with the Gilbert Collection, 2000. 168 p., ill. Cat. no. 65, pp. 115-116. ISBN 0856675334.
  • Catalogue of the Special Exhibition of Portrait Miniatures on Loan at the South Kensington Museum, London, Whittingham & Wilkins, 1865 969
Other numbers
  • 1999.55.1 - The Gilbert Collection, Somerset House
  • MIN 71B - Arthur Gilbert Number
  • MM 2 - Arthur Gilbert Number
Collection
Accession number
LOAN:GILBERT.288-2008

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Record createdJune 26, 2008
Record URL
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