Bernard Lens II
Encyclopedia
Bernard Lens II was an English engraver, pioneer of mezzotint
technique, and publisher.
Bernard Lens II was the son of the first Bernard Lens, "an obscure painter" of Dutch
origin. Bernard Lens I practiced enamel
technique and also authored religious treatises.
The art of Bernard Lens II, largely confined to developing mezzotint
technique is an example of a general trend of hist age, when "issues of tonality, if not colour, were developing away from the etching
's dependence on line". According to Malcolm Charles Salaman
, "most attractive" of his portraits was that of Lady Mary Tudor
. Salaman noted Lens for his "practically unique" insights into capabilitites of mezzotint in rendering artificial light, evidenced by his series of Fireworks. These prints, commemorating the victories of the Williamite War in Ireland
, were "the essential component of representational amplification in politics" of the period.
Bernard Lens II was the father of better known miniaturist
Bernard Lens III
. Father and son collaborated on joint projects, for example during the 1710 tour of Native American chiefs
to England. On the last day of their stay in London Bernard Lens III produced miniature portraits of the "Four Kings"; Bernard Lens II copied these portraits in mezzotint, including a widely copied leaflet presenting all four portraits.
Mezzotint
Mezzotint is a printmaking process of the intaglio family, technically a drypoint method. It was the first tonal method to be used, enabling half-tones to be produced without using line- or dot-based techniques like hatching, cross-hatching or stipple...
technique, and publisher.
Bernard Lens II was the son of the first Bernard Lens, "an obscure painter" of Dutch
Dutch people
The Dutch people are an ethnic group native to the Netherlands. They share a common culture and speak the Dutch language. Dutch people and their descendants are found in migrant communities worldwide, notably in Suriname, Chile, Brazil, Canada, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, and the United...
origin. Bernard Lens I practiced enamel
Vitreous enamel
Vitreous enamel, also porcelain enamel in U.S. English, is a material made by fusing powdered glass to a substrate by firing, usually between 750 and 850 °C...
technique and also authored religious treatises.
The art of Bernard Lens II, largely confined to developing mezzotint
Mezzotint
Mezzotint is a printmaking process of the intaglio family, technically a drypoint method. It was the first tonal method to be used, enabling half-tones to be produced without using line- or dot-based techniques like hatching, cross-hatching or stipple...
technique is an example of a general trend of hist age, when "issues of tonality, if not colour, were developing away from the etching
Etching
Etching is the process of using strong acid or mordant to cut into the unprotected parts of a metal surface to create a design in intaglio in the metal...
's dependence on line". According to Malcolm Charles Salaman
Malcolm Charles Salaman
Malcolm Charles Salaman was an English author, journalist and critic. He was educated at University College School and at Owens College, Manchester. Although he had studied mechanical engineering for four years, he became a journalist, and edited two weekly papers...
, "most attractive" of his portraits was that of Lady Mary Tudor
Lady Mary Tudor
Lady Mary Tudor was the illegitimate daughter of Charles II of England by his mistress, the actress and singer Mary 'Moll' Davis, a celebrated rival of Nell Gwynn, King Charles' London-born mistress who was also an actress...
. Salaman noted Lens for his "practically unique" insights into capabilitites of mezzotint in rendering artificial light, evidenced by his series of Fireworks. These prints, commemorating the victories of the Williamite War in Ireland
Williamite war in Ireland
The Williamite War in Ireland—also called the Jacobite War in Ireland, the Williamite-Jacobite War in Ireland and in Irish as Cogadh an Dá Rí —was a conflict between Catholic King James II and Protestant King William of Orange over who would be King of England, Scotland and Ireland...
, were "the essential component of representational amplification in politics" of the period.
Bernard Lens II was the father of better known miniaturist
Portrait miniature
A portrait miniature is a miniature portrait painting, usually executed in gouache, watercolour, or enamel.Portrait miniatures began to flourish in 16th century Europe and the art was practiced during the 17th century and 18th century...
Bernard Lens III
Bernard Lens III
Bernard Lens III was an English artist known primarily for his portrait miniatures. Lens was the miniature painter at the courts of kings George I and George II, instructor in miniature painting to prince William and princesses Mary and Louise and consultant in fine arts to upper-class...
. Father and son collaborated on joint projects, for example during the 1710 tour of Native American chiefs
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
to England. On the last day of their stay in London Bernard Lens III produced miniature portraits of the "Four Kings"; Bernard Lens II copied these portraits in mezzotint, including a widely copied leaflet presenting all four portraits.