Attributed to BERNARD LENS III

Bernard Lens III, also known as Bernard Lens the Younger, was the most successful miniaturist of the Lens family. His father, Bernard Lens II (1659-1725) and sons, Peter Paul Lens (c.1714-1750) and Andrew Benjamin Lens (c.1713- after 1779), also specialised in this format. Lens III is credited with being the first miniaturist to work on ivory in England, adopting the technique Rosalba Carriera (1673-1757) first used in Venice. The attribution to Lens III comes from stylistic comparisons, especially the use of fine dark lines to outline the nose and eyelids of the sitter. Similarities can also be found in the almond-shaped eyes and puckered lips of the unknown lady depicted here.