BERNARD LENS (BRITISH, 1682-1740)

Prospective purchasers are advised that several co… Read more

Details

BERNARD LENS (BRITISH, 1682-1740)
Anna Maria Whitmore (1725 - d. before 1743), holding a fan, in grey dress sprigged with crimson flowers and edged with lace, with gauze bodice and an apron, pink ribbons in her cap
signed in gold with monogram and dated 'BL / 1731' (lower right) and in full on the reverse 'Anna Maria / daughter of Will^{m<\sup>. and / Eliz: Whitmor / aetat. 6. / anno Dom. 1731. / B. Lens fecit.'

on ivory

oval, 3¾ in. (82 mm.) high, turned ivory frame

A paper label on the reverse is inscribed in ink 'Anna Maria / nal. 1725. / ob. previous to 1743.'}

Provenance

Presumably William Whitmore (d. 1725) and his wife Elizabeth Whitmore, née Pope (d. 1736).
Thence by direct family descent to Lady Whitmore; Christie's, 2 November 1971, lot 126.
Christie's, London, 10 July 1991, lot 195.

Literature

H. Hughes and T. Hughes, Collecting Miniature Antiques, London, 1973, ill. p. 11, no. 20.

Special notice

Prospective purchasers are advised that several countries prohibit the importation of property containing materials from endangered species, including but not limited to coral, ivory and tortoiseshell. Accordingly, prospective purchasers should familiarize themselves with relevant customs regulations prior to bidding if they intend to import this lot into another country.

Brought to you by

Katharine Cooke

kcooke@christies.com +44 (0)20 7389 2343

Lot Essay

The sale of Lady Whitmore's miniatures at Christie's, London, 1971, included portraits by Lens of other members of the Whitmore family including the present sitter's siblings and parents, William Whitmore (d. 1725), and Elizabeth, née Pope (d. 1736) of Apley Estate, Shropshire and Lower Slaughter, Gloucestershire. William was returned as M.P. for Bridgnorth from 1705 until 1710 and from 1713 until 1725. The portrait of the present sitter's sister, lot 129 of the 1971 Christie's sale, is now in the Victoria and Albert Museum (inv. no. P. 14-1971) and the portrait of their brother, Thomas (1682-1740), was sold Christie's, London, 2 June 2009, lot 225.

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