Portrait of John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough

John Faber, the Elder|John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough

early 18th century · Pen and ink on vellum · Drawings and Prints

Faber the Elder moved to London from Holland by 1698 and helped introduce to Britain a type of small monochrome portrait drawing common previously only in the Netherlands. This delicately drawn example, in pen and ink upon vellum, represents the British general and statesman, John Churchill, created Duke of Marlborough in 1702 by Queen Anne. The sitter’s celebrated military successes, including the Battle of Blenheim in 1704, led Britain to victory over France in the War of the Spanish Succession. Marlborough’s image here is based on a well-known portrait by Sir Godfrey Kneller, whose circle Faber had joined when he arrived in London.

Artist

John Faber, the Elder|John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough

Date

early 18th century

Medium

Pen and ink on vellum

Department

Drawings and Prints

Credit line

Harry G. Sperling Fund, 2009