Portrait of John [Churchill], Duke of Marlborough, 1745

A line engraving of John [Churchill], (1650-1722), Duke of Marlborough, by Jacobus Houbraken after a painting by Sir Godfrey Kneller. Published by I & P Knapton, London, 1745.

A detailed bust-length black and white line lithograph of a white middle-aged man turned slightly to the right but facing the artist. He wears plated armour with a fur-lined cloak draped across his shoulder and a white cravat, with a shoulder-length curled wig. The image sits within an oval frame which is surrounded by detailed carvings of a soldier’s helmet and garb to the bottom left, and a cherub blowing a trumpet in their left hand with another trumpet clasped to their shoulder, leaning on a shield that depicts an angel crowning Britannia. Text underneath the rectangular frame to the left reads: ‘G. Kneller pinxit’, followed by: ‘In the Collection of the Honorable John Spencer.’, followed by ‘Impensis J & P Knapton, Londini.’ and ‘J. Houbraken sculps. Amst. 1745.’ to the right.

Born in 1650 at Ashe House, Musbury in Okehampton, Devon, John Churchill’s (1650-1722) early childhood was spent in comparative poverty following the destruction of the family home by Parliamentarian troops due to their Royalist support during the Civil War. His father, Winston Churchill, served as MP to Weymouth and Melcome Regis, and Lyme Regis, while John was educated at St Paul’s School in London. Following his older sister’s,(Arabella Churchill's), affair with James II, he was appointed as James’s page and later an ensign in the Foot Guards. Thus began a military career that spanned the reign of five monarchs in which he advanced through service and diplomatic skill.

In 1688, with the invasion of William of Orange, Churchill’s Protestant position against James II, whom he had served loyally for a number of years, led to his abandonment of the King, leaving behind a letter of apology...”I hope the great advantage I enjoy under Your Majesty, which I own I would never expect in any other change of government, may reasonably convince Your Majesty and the world that I am actuated by a higher principle…” In 1689, as part of William III’s coronation honours, Churchill was created Earl of Marlborough and sworn as a member of the Privy Council. However, rumours and accusations around Churchill’s betrayal of James II for personal gain began to circulate, and William III himself had reservations about Churchill’s loyalty. Churchill continued to fight for William III, however remained in contact with James II for a number of years. His military prowess is recognised by many historians, following many sieges and battles across Europe, and he was finally awarded the position of Knight of the Order of the Garter in 1702 by Queen Anne after being refused the title in the 1690s by William III.

The print by Jacob Houbraken (1698-1780) is based on a painting by Sir Godfrey Kneller (1646-1723), who was William III’s Principal Painter. The print was later included in the 1747 publication of The Heads of Illustrious Persons of Great Britain Engraven by Mr. Houbraken and Mr. Vertue With Their Lives and Characters by Thomas Birch, A.M.F.R.S.

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