Titan Fine Art has dated this piece to the 17th Century.
Churchill was one of the greatest military commanders in history, and was a statesman whose career spanned the reigns of five monarchs. As de facto leader of Allied forces in the Low Countries, his ensured his place in history as one of Europe's great generals. He served first as a page at the court of the House of Stuart under James, Duke of York, through the 1670s and early 1680s, earning military and political advancement through his courage and diplomatic skill.
Painted circa 1700, portrayed in armour and a magnificent crimson and ermine trimmed cloak, holding a baton of command, his heroic visage suitably reflects his wealth and status. The gold badge of the Most Noble Order of the Garter is worn suspended from a small gold link from the blue sash at the right hip - it shows St. George the Martyr on horseback slaying a dragon. This order of chivalry founded by Edward III of England in 1348 is the most senior order of knighthood in the British honours system. Appointments are made at the Sovereign's sole discretion and membership of the Order is limited to the Sovereign, the Prince of Wales, and no more than 24 living members, or Companions.
The overriding sense of the painting is motion, and even with his dignified restraint, the figure of the Duke raising his baton of command echoes the swirling drama of the battlefield in the background – a common setting in portraits for important sitters at the time. It is not hard to understand why everyone and anyone who was of some standing in society commissioned Kneller for their portrait.
Around 1702 Kneller and his studio painted more than one variant of this portrait. One version was in the possession of the Hudson’s Bay Company. Another close version attributed to Michael Dahl (c.1659-1743) circa 1702 is in the National Army Museum London (believed to have been acquired at Christies, London, 6 June 2000, for £24,675).
Born in 1650, John Churchill was the second but oldest surviving son of Sir Winston Churchill (1620–1688). William III recognised his abilities by appointing him as his deputy in Flanders before the War of the Spanish Succession in 1701. Marriage to Sarah Jennings and her relationship with Queen Anne ensured Marlborough's rise to a dukedom. Marlborough’s family seat is Blenheim Palace, a monumental country house in Woodstock, England (see photo) - the only non-royal country house in England to hold the title of palace.
Sir Godfrey Kneller (1646-1723) was born in Germany but trained in Amsterdam and studied in Italy before moving to England in 1676. Towards the end of the century, after the deaths of Peter Lely and John Riley, Kneller became the leading portrait painter in Britain and the court painter to English and British monarchs from Charles II to George I. He dominated English art for more than thirty years and had an impact on British art for more than a century after his death. He ran a large, busy and successful studio in London and employed many assistants and established a routine that enabled a great number of works to be produced. His name became synonymous with British portraiture and he rose to great notoriety; countless other artists strove to emulate his style. He received a knighthood from the King, an honour that had never been given to an artist. He died in London in 1723 and a memorial was erected in Westminster Abbey.
Provenance: Badmondisfield Hall, Wickhambrook, England
Titan Fine Art has dated this piece to the 17th Century.
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Portrait of John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough (1650-1722) C.1702; Studio of Sir Godfrey Kneller (1646-1723)
