To view all current artworks for sale visit philipmould.com


This miniature of the Holy Family is a copy after an original oil by Peter Paul Rubens, known to have been in the Marlborough collection from 1708 when the 1st Duke of Marlborough acquired it for Blenheim Palace, until 1886 when it was sold by Christie’s(1). The Duchess referred to in the inscription is Henrietta Godolphin, 2nd Duchess of Marlborough (1681-1733), who inherited the work along with her father’s title when he died in 1722. The cabinet to which the inscription refers is the Grand Cabinet at Blenheim, which drew artists and nobility alike to come and marvel at the Marlborough’s collection of art; it is likely that Lens was permitted into the Marlborough cabinet to make copies of the work there.

Bernard Lens (1682-1740) was employed by the first Duke and Duchess of Marlborough to copy many of their oil paintings on a smaller scale, working in watercolour either on vellum or ivory. The Duke’s successful military and political career gained him a Dukedom and the manor of Woodstock after his victory at the battle of Blenheim. His wife, Sarah Jenyns (1660-1744) was the most influential woman in the retinue of Queen Anne, as her friend and in her official position as Mistress of the Robes. This wealth was used to build a fine art collection, the couple particularly drawn to the work of Peter Paul Rubens and his assistant Anthony van Dyck.

(1) The oil painting by Rubens was sold by the Duke of Marlborough at Christie’s, London, 26 June, 1886, lot 63. It was eventually in the collection of William Henry Crocker (1861-1937), whose collection (including the Rubens) was destroyed in an earthquake and fire in 1906.