A Rare Early 18th Century Portrait on Copper – Manner of Bernard Lens III

A rare early 18th century portrait of a nobleman painted on copper and set in a stained fruitwood frame.

Bernard Lens III (1682 – 1740) was an English painter best known for his portrait miniatures. Lens was miniature portrait painter to the Courts of George I and George II and acted as an instructor in miniature painting (then known as limning) to Prince William and Princesses Mary and Louise. He was also a consultant in fine arts to the nobility and gentry.

This small portrait on copper relates closely to known examples by Lens and the artist clearly derived inspiration from the Court miniaturist when executing this work.