‘Mary Queen of Scots’

This image must have been a good money-spinner for Bernard Lens as he painted multiple copies of it during the early 1700s. The original portrait, belonging to the Duke of Hamilton, was believed to depict Mary Queen of Scots. The portrait was, however, damaged and subsequently restored by Peter Cross prior to 1724 the year of his death. Whilst restoring it, changes were apparently made to the facial features and to the shape of the sitter’s face with the intention of making her fit in with contemporary ideas on beauty. This ‘improved’ image then reached a wide audience through copies painted by Lens and by Catherina da Costa. It was also reproduced and distributed as a print. One of Lens’ copies set into the lid of a gold box can be found in the V & A Museum.

Set against a traditional blue background, the portrait is signed with the artist’s monogram in gold and dated 1728. It is set in a papier-mâchê frame with giltwood decorations to the corners (slight damage to one leaf).

A third generation miniature painter, Bernard Lens (1682-1740) was one of the principal miniaturists of his 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.