John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough

John Faber, the Elder British, born Holland
early 18th century
Not on view
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.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough
  • Artist: John Faber, the Elder (British (born Holland), The Hague (?) ca. 1660–1721 Bristol)
  • Sitter: John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough (British, 1650–1722)
  • Date: early 18th century
  • Medium: Pen and ink on vellum
  • Dimensions: diameter: 4 1/8 in. (10.5 cm)
  • Classification: Drawings
  • Credit Line: Harry G. Sperling Fund, 2009
  • Object Number: 2009.450
  • Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints

More Artwork

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.