Sir Godfrey Kneller was a leading English Baroque portraitist whose subjects included nobility, politicians, poets, writers and other notable figures. His figurative and portrait paintings were in great demand for more than three decades around the turn of the 18th century.
Kneller was born in Lübeck, Germany, in 1646. His father was a painter and a city surveyor, positions which gave Kneller the opportunity of a university education. He studied mathematics at Leiden University in the Netherlands before shifting to painting, studying under luminaries such as Ferdinand Bol and Rembrandt.
In 1672, Kneller moved to Italy where he spent time in Rome and Venice painting portraits for the nobility. Around 1676, he moved to England, where he opened a studio. An encounter with the Duke of Monmouth led to an introduction to King Charles II, and Kneller became a court painter, garnering a reputation for his grand style. The young painter’s portraits had a penetrating quality that evoked the subject’s presence through like-like qualities on canvas.
In 1684, Kneller traveled to France to paint Louis XIV. Following the death of Charles II, he became the court painter for James II and later worked for his successors, William and Mary. Kneller was knighted in 1692 and received an honorary doctorate of law from the University of Oxford in 1695.
Between 1700 and 1720, he painted 42 portraits of members of the Kit-Cat Club, a political and literary group. Mary II also commissioned him to paint the Hampton Court Beauties, a series of paintings featuring the most graceful ladies of the royal court.
In 1711, Kneller became the governor of the London Academy and subsequently won re-election every year until 1718. King George I made him a baronet in 1715.
Kneller died in London in 1723, with hundreds of unfinished paintings remaining in the prolific portrait master's studio.
On 1stDibs, find a collection of Sir Godfrey Kneller’s paintings.
Portrait of Duke and Duchess of Devonshire Studio of Sir Godfrey Kneller
By Sir Godfrey Kneller
Located in Bradenton, FL
A Pair of Oil on Canvas Portraits of William Cavendish, First Duke of Devonshire, and his wife, Mary Butler Duchess of Devonshire, rendered in the grand manner associated with Sir Go...
Giltwood, Paint
Portrait Prince George of Denmark, Duke of Cumberland c.1690–1695 Oil painting
By Sir Godfrey Kneller
Located in London, GB
Portrait of Prince George of Denmark, Duke of Cumberland (1653–1708) c.1690–1695 Studio of Sir Godfrey Kneller (1646–1723) Few portraits embody the visual authority and dynastic sy...
Canvas, Oil
Lady Elizabeth Cromwell, full length wearing a white dress with golden robes
By Sir Godfrey Kneller
Located in Taunton, GB
Portrait of Lady Elizabeth Cromwell, full length standing wearing a white dress with golden robes, leaning on a plinth Signed, inscribed and dated 1702 Oil on canvas in a carved woo...
Oil
$27,609
Portrait of James Butler, 2nd Duke of Ormonde (1665-1745), three-quarter length
By Sir Godfrey Kneller
Located in Taunton, GB
Portrait of James Butler, 2nd Duke of Ormonde (1665-1745), three-quarter length, standing wearing Armour, holding his baton, a skirmish beyond Oil on canvas In a carved wood frame ...
Oil
Portrait of Lady Elizabeth Cromwell as The Magdalen with a Prayer Book
By Sir Godfrey Kneller
Located in Taunton, GB
Portrait of Lady Elizabeth Southwell (neé Cromwell), as the Magdalene, half-length wearing a red dress with black veil, a prayer book by her side Oil on canvas, circa 1705 In a ca...
Oil
Portrait of a Gentleman in a Red Coat and Periwig, c.1715-1725; Godfrey Kneller
By Sir Godfrey Kneller
Located in London, GB
Portrait of a Gentleman in a Red Coat and Periwig, c.1715-1725 Studio of Sir Godfrey Kneller (1646–1723) This portrait of a gentleman, presented by Titan Fine Art, is a fine and wel...
Canvas, Oil
Full length portrait of Lady Elizabeth Cromwell as the Magdalen
By Sir Godfrey Kneller
Located in Taunton, GB
Portrait of Lady Elizabeth Cromwell as the Magdalen, full length seated in a landscape wearing a red dress and blue robes Oil on canvas THE SOUTHWELL COLLECTION Everett Fine Art i...
Oil
3rd Countess of Dysart, Grace Wilbraham
By Sir Godfrey Kneller
Located in Douglas, Isle of Man
Sir Godfrey Kneller 1646-1723, was a German born British portrait painter. He was born in Leiden and studied under Bol and Rembrandt, before travelling to Rome, Venice, Hamburg and ...
Canvas, Oil
William Lord Russell
By Sir Godfrey Kneller
Located in Douglas, Isle of Man
Sir Godfrey Kneller 1646-1723, was a German born English portrait painter. He was a pupil of Bol and Rembrandt, he was born in Leiden, travelled to Rome , Venice, Hamburg and later t...
Canvas, Oil
Portrait of William Russell, Lord Russell, Oil on Canvas
By Sir Godfrey Kneller
Located in London, GB
Style of Sir Godfrey Kneller 1646 - 1723 Portrait of William Russell, Lord Russell Oil on canvas Image size: 12 x 11 inches (30 x 28 cm) In a period carved gilt frame
Oil, Canvas
$220
H 0.99 in Dm 10.24 in
"Currency #201" Blue Portrait Artwork with French Text on Red Background
By Natasha Lelenco
Located in FISTERRA, ES
“Currency #201” is a circular mixed media portrait on wood featuring a surreal blue figure against a vibrant red background. Around the head, the French inscription reads: “Nous, les...
Wood, Spray Paint, Acrylic
$13,153
H 21.66 in Dm 15.75 in
Italian 18th Century Oval Religious Oil on Canvas Painting with Saint Dominic
By Francesco de Mura
Located in Firenze, IT
This beautiful Italian 18th Century old masters oil painting on oval canvas with giltwood frame is attributed to Solimena and features a religious scene. In this splendid oval-shaped painting are depicted Saint Dominic...
Canvas, Oil
Oil Portrait of a Victorian Lady, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
Painted in the 19th century, this exquisite miniature portrait wonderfully exemplifies realism in traditional oil painting. The small artwork is painted in the conventional portraiture style of the Old Masters, and achieves soft realism with fine brushwork and a subdued, neutral palette. The half length portrait depicts a fine Victorian woman dressed in all black with a delicate lace collar and bonnet. She wears a ruby broach...
Oil
$2,500
H 6 in W 4.25 in D 0.5 in
Portrait Miniature of Sir George Douglas, Baronet by J.C.D. Engleheart, 1821
By John Cox Dillman Engleheart
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A very fine likeness of handsome nobleman Sir George Douglas, inscribed on the reverse "Engelheart fecit 1824 London." The painting is contained in a beautifully cast bronze doré frame with the sitter's name engraved...
Bronze
$18,000 / set
H 54 in W 90 in D 2 in
Monumental Winifred Godfrey Triptych Paintings Oil on Canvas -Set of 3
By Winifred Godfrey
Located in Miami, FL
Monumental Winifred Godfrey Triptych Paintings Oil on Canvas Offered for sale is a monumental and striking flamingo triptych oil painting group b...
Canvas, Paint
Portraits of a Jockeys and Racehorse
Located in Lantau, HK
Clarence Hailey Newmarket (British born 1867-1949) famous for his painting of stallions and jockeys Portraits of a jockey and racehorse Newmarket, Su...
Canvas
$1,972
H 29.34 in W 23.63 in
Antique oil paining, A laughing man with an upturned glass, Dutch golden age
Located in DEVENTER, NL
Anonymous, 18th century Inspired by a painting by Petrus Staverenus (1610/1612 – 1654-07-28/1664-07-28) from a series of Five Senses 'Taste: A laughing man...
Canvas, Oil
$8,500Sale Price|33% Off
H 56 in W 46.75 in D 2 in
Portrait in Oil of Robert Harley 1st Earl of Oxford by Sir Godfrey Kneller
By Sir Godfrey Kneller
Located in Savannah, GA
19th Century copy of 18th century portrait of Robert Harley, 1st Earl of Oxford, (born 1661, London, died 1724, London). He was a British statesman who headed the Tory ministry from ...
Giltwood, Paint
$5,452
H 56 in W 37 in D 3 in
Portrait of Prince of Orange-Nassau" - After Michael Jansz. (Modern)
Located in Uppingham, GB
"Portrait of Frederick Hendrick, Prince of Orange-Nassau" - After Michael Jansz. van Miereveldt Dutch Golden Age royalty copy oil on canvas of van Miereveldt's iconic portrait. Excep...
Oil
Early 19th Century Portraits of a Man and Woman
Located in Palm Beach, FL
A pair early 19th century French oil on canvas paintings of a man and woman, probably husband and wife. Neoclassical and Napoleonic in style, these paintings are very well executed a...
Paint
$173,383
H 94.49 in W 85.44 in D 1.19 in
Oil on Canvas Painting Portrait of the Italian Noble Family of Zanardi Count
By Lucia Casalini Torelli
Located in Firenze, IT
This museum quality old master oil on canvas formal portrait painting depicting the family of the Count Zanardi is signed by the artist- the female painter Lucia Casalini Torelli- and published in a book dedicated to Casalini Torelli’s workshop and academy. This palatial masterpiece artwork comes directly from the ancient Villa Maraini Guerrieri - Palidano di Gonzaga (Mantua), an historic Italian heritage building owned by the descendants of the family portrayed for more than two centuries, until 1998. The big scale of this oil on canvas masterpiece painting states the relevance of Lucia Casalini Torelli as a painter. The present artwork is a formal family portrait painting that aim to introduce the characters depicted according to their social role in the society. The noble family is all gathered under a loggia overlooking a park, the landscape in the background is partially covered by a beautiful red cloth on the right side. The father stands up and holds the hand of his eldest son, proudly introducing his future heir. The son wears a light-blue dress and red boots, he is depicted in a serious pose holding a black tricorn hat under his arm and a rapier sword on his belt. The mother wears an elegant gold and dark green brocade dress, she is sitting with her youngest daughter on her knees while her second son is by her side. The little daughter wears a lovely long red and dress with white lace and holds an apple on her hand. The son stands next to his mother and is dressed in a brown priestly clothes. This palatial old masters piece was probably painted in 1740 due to the similarities with Cardinal Doria’ s portrait, now on display at the Doria Palace Museum, the official residence of the Prince of Genoa. The painting features original canvas (“prima tela”) and antique original patina, it is in excellent overall condition considering the age, use and its large scale. A formal detailed condition report and the results of the inspection with the UV lamp accompanied by photos is available on request. As well as for its exceptional quality and quite perfect state of conservation, this painting is particularly important and even more valuable both for the artist who painted it and for its absolutely exclusive provenance. Lucia painted the most prominent and powerful noble families of her time, the location of these paintings is unknown to the art market as it is extremely likely that the portraits are still kept in private collections. Furthermore, Lucia was one of the most appreciated artists of her time, so important that she was admitted as a member of the academy at a time when women were forbidden to attend these studies. In 1706, Felice Torelli...
Canvas, Oil
Self-Portrait
By John Hamilton Mortimer
Located in London, GB
Oil on canvas 30 x 25 ⅛ inches; 762 x 638 mm Verso: after Sir Joshua Reynolds, a self-portrait Not signed Painted c. 1758 Collections: Philip Gell (1775–1842), Hopton Hall, Derbyshire; By inheritance at Hopton Hall to his daughter, Isabella, who married William Pole Thornhill, who renounced Hopton and its contents in favour of his kinsman, Henry Chandos-Pole-Gell (1829–1902); By descent to his son, Brigadier General Harry Chandos-Pole-Gell (1872–1934), who sold Hopton Hall in 1918 and moved the family to Newnham Hall, Northamptonshire; By descent to his son, Lt Colonel John Chandos-Pole (1909–1993), Newnham Hall; Thence by descent until 2015, when acquired By descent to 2015; Lowell Libson & Jonny Yarker Ltd. Literature: Algernon Graves and Walter V. Cronin, A History of the works of Sir Joshua Reynolds P.R.A., London, 1901, IV, p. 1394. David Manning...
Canvas, Oil
Sold
H 37.01 in W 32.68 in D 2.37 in
Portrait Gentleman, William Clayton, 1st Baron Sundon, Studio of Godfrey Kneller
By Sir Godfrey Kneller
Located in London, GB
Portrait of a Gentleman, William Clayton, 1st Baron Sundon of Ardagh c.1695-1710 Studio of Sir Godfrey Kneller (1646-1723) This sumptuous portrait, presented by Titan Fine Art, was ...
Canvas, Oil
Lady Jane Jackson (née Vandeput) (1679-1731), 17th Century
By Sir Godfrey Kneller
Located in Blackwater, GB
Lady Jane Jackson (née Vandeput) (1679-1731), 17th Century by Godfrey Kneller (1646-1723) signed & dated Huge circa 1700 Old Master portrait of Lady Jane Jackson, oil on canvas by Godfrey Kneller. Leading example of Knellers work and beautiful three quarter length portrait of Lady Jackson wearing a red dress with the family estate beyond. Superb condition and provenance. Framed. Signed and dated 17** Jane was the daughter of Sir Peter Vandeput. The Vandeput's were wealthy merchants who had moved from Antwerp to London. She later married Philip Jackson...
Canvas, Oil
Sold
H 57.49 in W 48.43 in D 2.37 in
Portrait of Thomas Smith Esq, circa 1705, Excellent Quality and Provenance
By Sir Godfrey Kneller
Located in London, GB
Portrait of Thomas Smith Esquire c.1705 Sir Godfrey Kneller Bt. (1646-1723) Inscribed on dog collar ‘Tomas Smith’ This sumptuous large-scale portrait, with its interesting history, was painted by one of the best and most famous English portrait painters, Sir Godfrey Kneller. Kneller completed portraits of all the key figures of the time and was court painter to four sovereigns. He played a key role in the development of British art and influenced countless artists over generations. This portrait is one of his finest Augustan style portraits for which he is now best remembered and it dates from his later middle period when he produced his most distinguished paintings. The sitter is Thomas Smith Esq and inscribed on the dog collar is “Tomas Smith”. It is possible that he is a member of the large Lincolnshire Smith family which included the explorer John Smith (1580-1631) – but it is certain that he had considerable wealth as he commissioned the most fashionable artist in the country. Shown standing in a romantic landscape dressed in a tight-fitting green coat with a cloak drawn across it and a full-bottomed wig, he carries a sword and has a greyhound by his side. Just visible on the dog’s collar is an inscription: ‘Tomas Smith’. Portraits showing sitters walking through romantic landscapes had been made popular in the previous century by the great court portraitist Sir Anthony van Dyck, and Kneller would no doubt have looked to these earlier works as a template for this portrait. The sitter gazes confidently towards the viewer with a greyhound at his side. Kneller has succeeded in capturing the aristocratic confidence that many of his sitters would have wished to display. It is clear to see how Kneller uses the aristocratic gaze and excess of drapery to create portraits that personifies grandeur and extravagance. Its remarkable quality is evidenced by the fact that it was chosen to be exhibited in New York (in 1986) by the prestigious and one of the oldest commercial art galleries in the world, Colnaghi. From there, it was acquired by one of the greatest twentieth century collectors, Ray Livingstone Murphy (New York circa 1930/40). Murphy had travelled extensively throughout Europe building a collection of important books, paintings and porcelain. It is said that the breadth of his collection was only rivalled by the collection of William Beckford in the previous century. Kneller appears to have been an artist Murphy was particularly fond of as he also owned the oil sketch of William III on horseback, now located at the Het Loo Palace in Holland. The notable quality of the present portrait is further demonstrated by its inclusion in J. D. Stewart’s book “Sir Godfrey Kneller and the English Baroque Portrait” (Oxford University Press, 1983 pg. 137, n. 796). Kneller, who was German-born and Dutch trained, studied under Ferdinand Bol, and perhaps Rembrandt himself in the 1660s. He was in Rome and Venice between 1672 and 1675, settling in England in 1676 for life. He was soon employed at Court and became the most successful portraitist of the generation following Lely. He enjoyed the office of Principal Painter, at first jointly with John Riley (d.1691), from shortly after the accession of William and Mary in 1688 until his death. He was knighted in 1692 and became a baronet in 1715. His major works include a series of ten reigning European monarchs, including King Louis XIV of France; over 40 “Kit-cat portraits” of members of the Kit-Cat Club; and ten “beauties” of the court of William III. He was also head of the Kneller Academy of Painting and Drawing 1711-1716 in Great Queen Street, London. Titan Fine Art are pleased to present this striking and sumptuous portrait by the best artist of the period, and at the time he was producing his best works. Presented in a fine quality carved and gilded period frame with inscription on the bottom. Provenance: Private Collection, England Colnaghi, London Ray Livingston Murphy (1923-1953), New York (acquired from the above), and by descent to Dr James Murphy, New York Art Market, Dallas Philip Mould...
Canvas, Oil
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H 57 in W 47 in D 4 in
Portrait of Isabella Marshall - Very Large 18th Century Georgian Oil Painting
By Sir Godfrey Kneller
Located in Gerrards Cross, GB
‘Portrait of Isabella Marshall’ by Sir Godfrey Kneller (1646-1723). This large fine early 18th century oil painting of a Georgian beauty is signed an...
Oil
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H 50 in W 41 in
Portrait of Mrs. Fisher of Packerton, Warwick in Brown dress with Blue Shawl
By Sir Godfrey Kneller
Located in Miami, FL
Three-quarter-length, in a blue dress and red shawl, a wooded landscape in the distance Provenance: Sotheby's The work is stunning and has a great elegant presence in person
Oil