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 tona ...

technique, and publisher. Bernard Lens II was the son of

Bernard Lens I Bernard Lens I (c.1630–1707)Bernard Lens (I)
at the . of Dutch origin. Bernard Lens I practiced enamel technique and also authored religious treatises.. The art of Bernard Lens II, largely confined to developing

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 type ...

'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 ...

. 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 the ...

, 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 Bernard Lens III (27 May 1682 – 24 December 1740) was an English artist known primarily for his portrait miniatures. Lens was the miniature painter at the courts of kings George I and George II, instructor in miniature painting (then called l ...

. 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.

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* * * * * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Lens, Bernard II English engravers 1659 births 1725 deaths English people of Dutch descent