An Elegant English Portrait Miniature of a Gentleman in a Blue Coat – painter Bernard Lens III (1682–1740) An elegant and finely executed English oval portrait miniature depicting a distinguished gentleman wearing a fashionable blue coat. The portrait is of **Bernard Lens III (1682–1740)**, an important English miniature painter and drawing master of the early 18th century, celebrated for his refined portraiture and delicate watercolour technique. The sitter's blue coat lends a particularly attractive colour contrast to the composition, reflecting the elegance and sophistication associated with Georgian portrait miniatures. Executed in watercolours on a natural substrate, the portrait is housed in an oval frame with a gold reverse, adding to its character as a precious personal keepsake. The Artist – Bernard Lens III Bernard Lens III (1682–1740) was a prominent English miniature painter, draughtsman and drawing master, associated with the artistic circles of early Georgian England. He was particularly admired for his portrait miniatures and his contribution to the development of miniature painting in Britain. His work reflects the refined artistic tastes of the early 18th century, when portrait miniatures were highly valued as intimate and personal objects, frequently commissioned by members of fashionable and affluent society. Provenance and Collection History The miniature is associated with the collection of **Brigadier G. Viner**, a specialist collector and dealer in portrait miniatures who traded under the name **Limner Antiques**, Bond Street, London, during the 1990s. According to previous collection documentation, a description of the miniature was provided by **Bonhams** in connection with probate proceedings. The association with a specialist collection and the reference to Bonhams contribute to the documented collecting history of the work. **Artist:**: Bernard Lens III (1682–1740). **Date:** Traditionally described as circa 1800. **Origin:** England. **Style:** English Portrait Miniature. **Technique:** Watercolours on a natural substrate. **Dimensions:** Oval, approximately 6.6 cm. **Frame:** Oval frame with gold reverse. **Provenance:** Brigadier G. Viner Collection, associated with Limner Antiques, Bond Street, London, according to previous collection documentation. Described by Bonhams in connection with probate proceedings.
Auction 02: Rare 18th–19th Century Portrait Miniatures & Mourning Jewellery — Melis Antiques & Art