Sarah Churchill, Duchess of Marlborough thumbnail 1
Sarah Churchill, Duchess of Marlborough thumbnail 2
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Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
British Galleries, Room 54a

Sarah Churchill, Duchess of Marlborough

Portrait Miniature
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.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleSarah 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
  • Internal measurement of frame height: 40.5cm
  • Internal measurement of frame width: 26cm
Dimensions checked: measured; 25/02/1999 by DW new frame dimensions supplied by Tim Newberry 13/11/2000 - these updated by Alan Derbyshire Oct 2001
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
British Galleries: Sarah Churchill (1660-1744) was famous for her brilliant conversation and commanding manner. For some years she was the closest friend of Queen Anne (1665-1714). Here the duchess wears on her wrist a portrait miniature of her husband. An intimate portrait like this might have stood on a dressing table in a private chamber.(27/03/2003)
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 createdMarch 27, 2003
Record URL
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