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Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt

(1646-1723), Portrait painter

Sitter associated with 30 portraits
Artist associated with 1689 portraits
German-born but Dutch trained, Kneller reportedly travelled to England in 1676 because of his 'longing to see Sir Anthony Van Dyck's Works, being most ambitious of imitating that great Master'. He went on to dominate English art for more than thirty years. Like Van Dyck and Lely before him, Kneller became Principal Painter to the king and was knighted. William III also gave him a gold medal and chain, similar to those given to Van Dyck by Charles I. In recognition of his talents, in 1715, George I created Kneller a baronet - a rank that was not surpassed by any artist until 1896 when Sir Frederic Leighton received a peerage.

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James Vernon, studio of Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt - NPG 5226

James Vernon

studio of Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
oil on canvas, based on a work of circa 1677
NPG 5226

James Scott, Duke of Monmouth and Buccleuch, studio of Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt - NPG 5225

James Scott, Duke of Monmouth and Buccleuch

studio of Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
oil on canvas, feigned oval, based on a work of circa 1678
NPG 5225

Heneage Finch, 1st Earl of Nottingham, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt - NPG 1430

Heneage Finch, 1st Earl of Nottingham

after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
oil on canvas, based on a work of 1680?
NPG 1430

Unknown man, formerly known as William Russell, Lord Russell, possibly after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt - NPG 202

Unknown man, formerly known as William Russell, Lord Russell

possibly after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
oil on canvas, feigned oval, based on a work of circa 1680
NPG 202

King James II, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt - NPG 6277

King James II

after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
watercolour on vellum on card, based on a work of 1684
NPG 6277

Anthony Leigh, by and published by John Smith, after  Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt - NPG L269.B5.06

Anthony Leigh

by and published by John Smith, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
mezzotint, 1689
On display in Room 11 on Floor 3 at the National Portrait Gallery
NPG L269.B5.06

Thomas Betterton, studio of Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt - NPG 752

Thomas Betterton

studio of Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
oil on canvas, based on a work of circa 1690-1695
On display at Bath Preservation Trust, Bath
NPG 752

Grinling Gibbons, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt - NPG 2925

Grinling Gibbons

after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
oil on canvas, based on a work of circa 1690
NPG 2925

John Howe, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt - NPG 265

John Howe

after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
oil on canvas, feigned oval, based on a work of circa 1690
NPG 265

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