Bernard Lens III Paintings

Bernard Lens III was a notable British artist, born in 1682 into a family with a strong artistic heritage. His grandfather, Bernard Lens I, was a renowned glass-painter, which was a form of art popular during the Renaissance and Baroque periods. Bernard Lens III's father, Bernard Lens II, was also an artist who worked with miniatures. This familial background provided a rich environment for Lens III to cultivate his artistic talents.

Bernard Lens III is primarily remembered for his work as a miniaturist during the early 18th century. He became one of the most prominent and skilled miniaturists of his time in England, continuing the family tradition. Lens's miniatures were often watercolors on ivory, a popular medium for portrait miniatures at that time due to its smooth surface which allowed for fine detail, as well as its durability.

During his lifetime, Bernard Lens III produced a significant number of miniatures, which included portraits of the gentry and nobility. His work is characterized by a delicate touch and an attention to the subtle details of his sitters' faces and clothing. He is also known to have produced plumbago drawings, which were graphite drawings on vellum or paper praised for their fine detail and soft shading.

Lens III's contributions to the art of miniature painting were significant, and he played a role in the development of this genre in Britain. His works are a valuable resource for those studying the costume and physiognomy of the period. Bernard Lens III lived during a period of significant change in the arts, straddling the late Baroque and early Rococo periods, and his works reflect the stylistic transitions of the era.

Bernard Lens III died in 1740, leaving behind a legacy of exquisite miniature portraits that continue to be studied and admired for their craftsmanship and historical value. His sons, Bernard Lens IV and Peter Paul Lens, also became artists, indicating that the Lens family tradition of contributing to the arts continued through subsequent generations.