Sir Thomas Whitmore as a boy,
 by Bernard Lens III, signed, circa 1715.

Bernard Lens painted 15 members of the Whitmore family, all with the same unusual Tudor-blue background, all framed identically.    The Victoria & Albert Museum has two from this group, both siblings of Thomas, Richard Whitmore, painted in 1718 and Katherine Whitmore, painted in 1724.

Sir Thomas Whitmore, K.B., of Apley (1710-1773) was the eldest surviving son of William Whitmore, Esq., MP for Bridgnorth, and his wife Elizabeth Pope, daughter of Roger Pope, Esq. of Wolstanton in Shropshire. Sir Thomas married Anne, daughter of Sir Jonathan Cope, Bart., of Brewern. They had three daughters, the eldest of whom married her first cousin, Thomas Whitmore. He succeeded his uncle/father-in-law. In addition to Apley Hall in Shropshire, Sir Thomas held estates in LowerSlaughter in Gloucestershire.

Set in the original oval turned horn frame, the reverse with the following inscription: Thomas.-/ nat. 1711./ afterwards Sir Thomas, K.B./ married Anna dt of Sir Jn Cope/ ob 1773.

2 15/16 inches (7.5 cm) high.

Bernard Lens III (1682-1740), who held the title of royal miniaturist to kings George I & II, introduced to England the use of ivory as a base on which to paint miniatures. In addition to portraits, Lens was an engraver, topographical draftsman and drawing master. Lens instructed two of his sons, miniaturists Andrew Benjamin Lens and Peter Paul Lens. Considered one of the best miniaturists of his day, in addition to the Royal Family, he counted the Duchess of Marlborough (Victoria & Albert Museum), architect James Gibbes, and antiquarian Martin Folkes among his sitters. Examples of his work may be seen in most major museum collections. Lens' self-portrait in miniature is in the collection of the National Portrait Gallery, London.

Provenance:       Lady Whitmore.
                                 Christies, London, 2 November, 1971, lot 121.

See:                        For images of the two of Thomas Whitmore's siblings in the collection of the Victoria & Albert Museum, see:
                                 http://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O17310/miniature-portrait-miniature-of-richard-whitmore/
                                 http://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O82146/miniature-portrait-of-katherine-whitmore/