John Riley (1646-1691), Portrait painter
Sitter in 1 portrait
Artist associated with 99 portraits
John Riley began practising painting at a young age, which probably meant he was independently wealthy. He became a fashionable society portrait painter. At the height of his success, in the 1680s, Riley charged £40 for a full-length portrait, a considerable amount of money at this time. In 1689, together with Godfrey Kneller, he was appointed Principal Painter to King William III and Queen Mary, though there are no known portraits by him of either as sovereign.
after John Riley
oil on canvas, (1670s)
NPG 1091
possibly after John Riley
oil on canvas, feigned oval
On display at Royal Courts of Justice, London
NPG 476
attributed to John Riley
oil on canvas
NPG 5932
studio of John Riley
oil on canvas, circa 1680-1685
NPG 3798
James Drummond, 4th Earl of Perth
after John Riley
oil on cardboard, (circa 1680-1684)
NPG 2153
Francis North, 1st Baron Guilford
attributed to John Riley
oil on canvas, circa 1682
On display at Palace of Westminster, London
NPG 4708
George Legge, 1st Baron Dartmouth
after John Riley
oil on canvas, (circa 1685-1690)
On display in the State Dressing Room at Beningbrough Hall
NPG 664
John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough
possibly by John Closterman, after John Riley
oil on canvas, feigned oval, (circa 1685-1690)
On display on Floor 1: Saloon at Beningbrough Hall
NPG 501
after John Riley
oil on canvas, feigned oval, (circa 1685)
NPG 144
after John Riley
oil on canvas, feigned oval, (1687-1689)
NPG 1602
Prince George of Denmark, Duke of Cumberland
after John Riley
oil on canvas, (1687?)
NPG 326
after John Riley
oil on canvas, feigned oval, (circa 1689-1691)
On display at Lyme Park, Stockport
NPG 159
by or after John Riley
oil on canvas, 1690s?
NPG 479
by Robert White, after John Riley, published by John Smith
line engraving, late 17th century
NPG D30925
by Robert White, after John Riley
line engraving, late 17th century
NPG D31225
by Robert White, after John Riley
line engraving, late 17th century
NPG D13234
by Pieter Stevens van Gunst, after John Riley
line engraving, 1675-1685
NPG D18466
by Isaac Beckett, after John Riley, published by John Smith
mezzotint, (circa 1680-1685)
NPG D30884
by and published by John Smith, after John Riley
mezzotint, 1680
NPG D31334
by Isaac Beckett, published by John Smith, after John Riley
mezzotint, (circa 1680-1685)
NPG D34055
All paintings by this artist on the BBC Your Paintings website
