LENS II, Bernard (1659-1725)
A Representation of the Royal Fire-Work preform'd by the directions of Coll. Hopkey and Coll. Borgard on the River Thames before Whitehall, ye 7th of July 1713, being ye day appointed for a publick Thanksgiving for the General Peace
London: 1713. Mezzotint on laid paper, engraved by and after Lens. Plate mark: 20 3/4 x 16 3/8 inches. Sheet size: 23 3/8 x 18 1/4 inches. Provenance: Christopher Lennox-Boyd (Christie's 12 March 2008, lot 57).
Rare early mezzotint of fireworks over the River Thames: from the noted collection of Christopher Lennox-Boyd.
The event celebrated with fireworks was the signing of the Treaty of Utrecht. Acclaimed for his skill as an engraver, and particularly for his mezzotints, Bernard Lens II established a drawing school in the 1690s in St. Pauls Churchyard. The present mezzotint is a fine example of his work, wonderfully displaying his skill at depicting scenic effects at night. Engraver and artist Bernard Lens II was the father of better-known miniaturist Bernard Lens III. Father and son collaborated on several joint projects. In 1710, a delegation of four Native American leaders, three Mohawk from the Iroquois alliance (Sa Ga Yeath Qua Pieth Tow of the Bear Clan, called King of Maguas); Ho Nee Yeath Taw No Row of the Wolf Clan, called King of Canajoharie; and Tee Yee Ho Ga Row, of the Wolf Clan, also called King Hendrick) and one Mohican from the Algonquin nations (Etow Oh Koam of the Turtle Clan), traveled to the Court of Queen Anne in London. Arranged by Pieter Schuyler, mayor of Albany, New York, the delegation traveled to London with British military leaders seeking support against the French and their allied Native interests in North America. 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, producing one of the most celebrated 18th century English engravings of Native Americans.
Cf. Chaloner Smith, p. 813.
Item #34504
Price: $2,850.00