Superb Peter Paul Lens Portrait Miniature c1740
Directory: Fine Art: Paintings: Miniatures: Pre 1800: Item # 1444616
Please refer to our stock # a1768 when inquiring.
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A wonderful miniature portrait, on natural material, painted and signed lower left, by Peter Lens. The sitter, a young woman in a yellow gown and white fichu, is shown against a startling blue background.
The condition of the miniature is excellent with no problems or flaws. The white area at the lower edge is light reflection. The size of the pendant gilt metal case is 1 7/8" by 1 1/2".
BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE: Peter Paul Lens (1714? - 1750?) was apprenticed in 1729 to his father, Bernard Lens, who was the miniaturist at the courts of King George I and King George II. Peter went to Dublin around 1737 and is considered by some to be the founder of the Irish school of miniaturists.
In spite of the appreciation of his artistic abilities, Lens managed to find himself in trouble because of his prominence in "The Blasters", a club which managed to become the subject of a report by a Committee of the House of Lords in March 1738 owing to its supposed Satanist practices. Lens had professed himself on several occasions as a votary of the devil. The club was also known as a place for debauchery in the pursuit of drink and passion.
Lens fled back to London following the Lords' report. His continued work there seems to have ended around 1750. Examples of his miniatures are in the V & A Museum and several royal collections.
