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Sir Godfrey Kneller Figurative Paintings

British, 1646-1723

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.

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Artist: Sir Godfrey Kneller
Mrs. Bagnel -
By Sir Godfrey Kneller
Located in Miami, FL
Sir Godfrey Kneller with studio. Let us know if you want to both at the same time and we will see what we can do. See our other accompanying portaint of Mr. Bagnel - They work tog...
Category

1690s Old Masters Sir Godfrey Kneller Figurative Paintings

Materials

Oil

Portrait of Mr. Bagnal ( Pair with Mrs. Bagnal ) Sir Godfrey Kneller and Studio
By Sir Godfrey Kneller
Located in Miami, FL
Sir Godfrey Kneller with studio, Inscribed Mr. Bagnal Lower left. Godfrey Kneller and studio , Unlined, old cleaning. Old Frame. Frame was repainted and has some chipping and a fe...
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1710s Old Masters Sir Godfrey Kneller Figurative Paintings

Materials

Oil

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Sir Godfrey Kneller figurative paintings for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Sir Godfrey Kneller figurative paintings available for sale on 1stDibs. You can also browse by medium to find art by Sir Godfrey Kneller in oil paint, paint and more. Much of the original work by this artist or collective was created during the 18th century and earlier and is mostly associated with the Old Masters style. Not every interior allows for large Sir Godfrey Kneller figurative paintings, so small editions measuring 40 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Paul Emile Léon Perboyre, Goyo Dominguez, and Antonio Savisio. Sir Godfrey Kneller figurative paintings prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $28,000 and tops out at $49,000, while the average work can sell for $38,500.

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