Sarah Churchill, Duchess of Marlborough
Portrait Miniature
1720 (dated)
1720 (dated)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Object Type
The word 'miniature' describes the technique of working in watercolour on vellum (a fine kind of parchment made from the skins of lamb or kid) rather than the size of the painting.
People
This is a portrait of Sarah Churchill (1660-1744), née Jennings, who married John Churchill (1650-1722) in 1678. Churchill, a notable soldier, was raised to the English peerage as Baron Churchill in 1685, and was subsequently created 1st Duke of Marlborough. When Churchill met Sarah Jennings, she was working as an attendant to Princess Anne (1650-1714), the future Queen. The friendship between Sarah and Anne, who nicknamed themselves Mrs Morley and Mrs Freeman, played a crucial part in the fortunes of the Churchills. Churchill had his most famous victory at Blenheim in 1704, two years after Anne ascended the throne. By 1710, however, the Churchills were out of favour with the Queen, due to a quarrel between Anne and Sarah. This portrait, probably a copy of an oil painting, celebrates the Churchill's famous marriage through the inclusion of a miniature of the Duke worn on the Duchess's wrist.
Frame
The 19th-century owner of this miniature put it in an ornate gold frame. But Bernard Lens III, the younger (1681-1740), who painted this miniature, was famed for his simple pearwood frames that were stained black (they are still called 'Lens frames'). The present frame on this miniature is a recreation of a Lens frame.
The word 'miniature' describes the technique of working in watercolour on vellum (a fine kind of parchment made from the skins of lamb or kid) rather than the size of the painting.
People
This is a portrait of Sarah Churchill (1660-1744), née Jennings, who married John Churchill (1650-1722) in 1678. Churchill, a notable soldier, was raised to the English peerage as Baron Churchill in 1685, and was subsequently created 1st Duke of Marlborough. When Churchill met Sarah Jennings, she was working as an attendant to Princess Anne (1650-1714), the future Queen. The friendship between Sarah and Anne, who nicknamed themselves Mrs Morley and Mrs Freeman, played a crucial part in the fortunes of the Churchills. Churchill had his most famous victory at Blenheim in 1704, two years after Anne ascended the throne. By 1710, however, the Churchills were out of favour with the Queen, due to a quarrel between Anne and Sarah. This portrait, probably a copy of an oil painting, celebrates the Churchill's famous marriage through the inclusion of a miniature of the Duke worn on the Duchess's wrist.
Frame
The 19th-century owner of this miniature put it in an ornate gold frame. But Bernard Lens III, the younger (1681-1740), who painted this miniature, was famed for his simple pearwood frames that were stained black (they are still called 'Lens frames'). The present frame on this miniature is a recreation of a Lens frame.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Sarah Churchill, Duchess of Marlborough (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Watercolour on vellum |
| Brief description | Portrait miniature of Sarah Churchill, Duchess of Marlborough, Bernard Lens III (the younger), London probably, 1720 |
| Physical description | Portrait miniature |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions | 'her Grace the Dutchess (sic) / of marlbourgh (sic) Bernard Lens Fecit advium (sic) et Londini / Dec ye 31 1720' (backboard) |
| Gallery label |
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| Credit line | Bequeathed by John Jones |
| Subject depicted | |
| Summary | Object Type The word 'miniature' describes the technique of working in watercolour on vellum (a fine kind of parchment made from the skins of lamb or kid) rather than the size of the painting. People This is a portrait of Sarah Churchill (1660-1744), née Jennings, who married John Churchill (1650-1722) in 1678. Churchill, a notable soldier, was raised to the English peerage as Baron Churchill in 1685, and was subsequently created 1st Duke of Marlborough. When Churchill met Sarah Jennings, she was working as an attendant to Princess Anne (1650-1714), the future Queen. The friendship between Sarah and Anne, who nicknamed themselves Mrs Morley and Mrs Freeman, played a crucial part in the fortunes of the Churchills. Churchill had his most famous victory at Blenheim in 1704, two years after Anne ascended the throne. By 1710, however, the Churchills were out of favour with the Queen, due to a quarrel between Anne and Sarah. This portrait, probably a copy of an oil painting, celebrates the Churchill's famous marriage through the inclusion of a miniature of the Duke worn on the Duchess's wrist. Frame The 19th-century owner of this miniature put it in an ornate gold frame. But Bernard Lens III, the younger (1681-1740), who painted this miniature, was famed for his simple pearwood frames that were stained black (they are still called 'Lens frames'). The present frame on this miniature is a recreation of a Lens frame. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 627-1882 |
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| Record created | March 27, 2003 |
| Record URL |
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