Bernard Lens I Paintings

Bernard Lens I was an English engraver and draughtsman, born in 1659 in the vicinity of London. Not to be confused with his more famous son, Bernard Lens II, who was also an artist, Lens I is considered among the early practitioners of mezzotint engraving in England. Mezzotint is a printmaking process of the intaglio family, which allows for the creation of images with soft gradations of tone and rich and velvety blacks.

While there is limited information about his early life and training, it is known that Lens I's work primarily consisted of small portraits and images derived from the works of popular painters of his time. He was active during a period when mezzotint was gaining popularity, due to its ability to reproduce the tonal range of oil paintings. His contributions to the art form helped establish the English school of mezzotint engravers, which would flourish in the 18th century.

Bernard Lens I's career spanned a significant portion of the late 17th and early 18th centuries. He is often associated with the early development of the mezzotint process in England, even though he was not among the very first practitioners. His works include a range of subjects, from religious figures to contemporary personages, and he contributed to the broader European tradition of printmaking by disseminating images of English culture and society.

He passed away in 1725. The legacy of Bernard Lens I is somewhat overshadowed by the achievements of his descendants, particularly his son Bernard Lens II and grandson Bernard Lens III, both of whom were notable artists in their own right. Bernard Lens II was a well-known miniature painter, while Bernard Lens III became an eminent engraver and the drawing master to George II's children, including the future George III. The Lens family thus played a significant role in the development of English art across multiple generations.