Portrait of George, 5th Duke of Marlborough, with Blenheim in the Distance
![Portrait of George, 5th Duke of Marlborough, with Blenheim in the Distance by Richard Cosway|George Spencer-Churchill, 5th Duke of Marlborough [Marquess of Blandford]](https://images.artheonmuseum.org/met/dp/thumb/portrait-of-george-5th-duke-of-marlborough-with-414244.webp)
Medium
Graphite and watercolor
Dimensions
Sheet: 8 15/16 × 5 1/2 in. (22.7 × 14 cm)
Classification
Drawings
Department
Drawings and Prints
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Bequest of Brooke Russell Astor, 2007
Accession Number
2013.1131.1
Tags
Art Historical Context
This elegant portrait by Richard Cosway captures George Spencer-Churchill, 5th Duke of Marlborough, during his time as Marquess of Blandford. Created between 1817 and 1821 in graphite and watercolor, the drawing presents the nobleman against the distant silhouette of Blenheim Palace, his family’s historic Oxfordshire seat. Cosway, celebrated as Britain’s leading miniaturist of the late Georgian era, specialized in delicate, luminous portraits that blended intimacy with aristocratic grandeur. The choice of watercolor on paper allows for soft modeling and subtle atmospheric effects, particularl...
About the Artist
Richard Cosway|George Spencer-Churchill, 5th Duke of Marlborough [Marquess of Blandford]
The most fashionable miniaturist of his day, Cosway was known for his elegant portraits. His large-scale portraits are considered less successful. He was friends with the Prince of Wales (later Prince Regent). Comment on works: religious, Portraits, mythology, miniatures