Miniature
ca. 1710 (made)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
This portrait was painted by Charles Boit around 1710 when he was already established as a prominent miniature painter in England and held the title of Court Enameller. His subject is Lady Anne Churchill (d.1716) daughter of the Duke of Marlborough and wife of Charles Spencer, 3rd Earl of Sunderland. Boit was born in Sweden and lived in both Stockholm and Paris before arriving in England in 1687. In 1704 he was commissioned to make an ambitiously large enamel plaque commemorating the Battle of Blenheim, one that he would never complete despite being paid more than one advance on it. His debts in England eventually forced him to leave in 1714 for France, where he died in 1727.
In the 17th century, new techniques of painting enamels allowed delicate portraits resembling tiny oil paintings to be created. This enamel portraiture in miniature was a truly international art. Many enamellers travelled in order to find new markets, while others migrated to escape religious persecution. Enamel miniatures were first fashionable in continental Europe, but were particularly in vogue in Britain from the 1720s to 1760s.
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.
In the 17th century, new techniques of painting enamels allowed delicate portraits resembling tiny oil paintings to be created. This enamel portraiture in miniature was a truly international art. Many enamellers travelled in order to find new markets, while others migrated to escape religious persecution. Enamel miniatures were first fashionable in continental Europe, but were particularly in vogue in Britain from the 1720s to 1760s.
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, silver-gilt frame |
Brief description | Enamel miniature on copper of Anne Churchill, with a silver-gilt frame, England, ca. 1710, by Charles Boit. |
Physical description | Oval miniature portrait of Anne Churchill showing the sitter facing forward wearing a gold gown and a red shawl. The miniature is enamel on copper and the frame is silver-gilt with an engraved inscription on the reverse. |
Dimensions |
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Marks and inscriptions | Engraved 'The / Lady Anne Churchill / & Daughter to John Duke of / Marlborough & Sarah Jennings / Duchess of Marlborough. Wife to / Charles Spencer 3rd Duke of Sunderland / and mother to / Charles Spencer 2nd Duke of / Malborough to the Hon / John Spencer to Diana Dus / of Bedford & to Lady Bateman' [?] (On back of frame) |
Gallery label |
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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 Ltd., London, 01/08/1997. |
Subject depicted | |
Summary | This portrait was painted by Charles Boit around 1710 when he was already established as a prominent miniature painter in England and held the title of Court Enameller. His subject is Lady Anne Churchill (d.1716) daughter of the Duke of Marlborough and wife of Charles Spencer, 3rd Earl of Sunderland. Boit was born in Sweden and lived in both Stockholm and Paris before arriving in England in 1687. In 1704 he was commissioned to make an ambitiously large enamel plaque commemorating the Battle of Blenheim, one that he would never complete despite being paid more than one advance on it. His debts in England eventually forced him to leave in 1714 for France, where he died in 1727. In the 17th century, new techniques of painting enamels allowed delicate portraits resembling tiny oil paintings to be created. This enamel portraiture in miniature was a truly international art. Many enamellers travelled in order to find new markets, while others migrated to escape religious persecution. Enamel miniatures were first fashionable in continental Europe, but were particularly in vogue in Britain from the 1720s to 1760s. 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.293-2008 |
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Record created | June 26, 2008 |
Record URL |
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