Bernard Lens II (1659–1725) was an English
engraver, pioneer of
mezzotint
Mezzotint is a monochrome printmaking process of the '' intaglio'' family. It was the first printing process that yielded half-tones without using line- or dot-based techniques like hatching, cross-hatching or stipple. Mezzotint achieves tonalit ...
technique, and publisher.
Bernard Lens II was the son of
Bernard Lens I, "an obscure painter"
[.] of
Dutch
Dutch commonly refers to:
* Something of, from, or related to the Netherlands
* Dutch people ()
* Dutch language ()
Dutch may also refer to:
Places
* Dutch, West Virginia, a community in the United States
* Pennsylvania Dutch Country
People ...
origin. Bernard Lens I practiced
enamel technique and also authored religious treatises.
[.]
The art of Bernard Lens II, largely confined to developing
mezzotint
Mezzotint is a monochrome printmaking process of the '' intaglio'' family. It was the first printing process that yielded half-tones without using line- or dot-based techniques like hatching, cross-hatching or stipple. Mezzotint achieves tonalit ...
technique is an example of a general trend of hist age, when "issues of ''tonality'', if not colour, were developing away from the
etching
Etching is traditionally the process of using strong acid or mordant to cut into the unprotected parts of a metal surface to create a design in intaglio (incised) in the metal. In modern manufacturing, other chemicals may be used on other types ...
's dependence on ''line''".
[ According to Malcolm Charles Salaman, "most attractive" of his portraits was that of ]Lady Mary Tudor
Lady Mary Tudor, Countess of Derwentwater (16 October 1673 – 5 November 1726) was an actress and natural daughter of King Charles II of England by his mistress, Mary "Moll" Davies, an actress and singer.
Biography
Early life and title
M ...
.[ Salaman noted Lens for his "practically unique"][.] insights into capabilities of mezzotint in rendering artificial light, evidenced by his series of ''Fireworks''.[ These prints, commemorating the victories of the ]Williamite War in Ireland
The Williamite War in Ireland (1688–1691; ga, Cogadh an Dá Rí, "war of the two kings"), was a conflict between Jacobite supporters of deposed monarch James II and Williamite supporters of his successor, William III. It is also called th ...
, were "the essential component of representational amplification in politics" of the period.[.]
Bernard Lens II was the father of better known miniaturist
A portrait miniature is a miniature portrait painting, usually executed in gouache, watercolor, or enamel. Portrait miniatures developed out of the techniques of the miniatures in illuminated manuscripts, and were popular among 16th-century eli ...
Bernard Lens III. Father and son collaborated on joint projects, for example during the 1710 tour of Native American chiefs to England. 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, including a widely copied leaflet presenting all four portraits.
References and notes
Sources
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Lens, Bernard II
English engravers
1659 births
1725 deaths
English people of Dutch descent