A Signed Gentleman in Blue

A Modest School portrait of a gentleman with sandy-coloured hair attired in a blue coat, white buttoned-up waistcoat and early stock. The portrait is signed with the initial L in gold on the right hand side and housed in the original gold frame.

A third generation miniature painter, Bernard Lens (1682-1740) was one of the principal miniaturists of the day. In addition to painting, he also taught drawing at Eton and was one of the first to use ivory as an alternative to vellum as a base.