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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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Frances, Lady Middleton, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt - NPG 1761a

Frances, Lady Middleton

after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
pastel, based on a work of 1690-1691
NPG 1761a

John Tillotson, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt - NPG 94

John Tillotson

after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
oil on canvas, based on a work of circa 1694
NPG 94

Arnold Joost van Keppel, 1st Earl of Albemarle, by Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt - NPG 1625

Arnold Joost van Keppel, 1st Earl of Albemarle

by Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
oil on canvas, circa 1697
On display in Room 7 on Floor 3 at the National Portrait Gallery
NPG 1625

John Dryden, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt - NPG 57

John Dryden

after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
oil on panel, feigned oval, based on a work of 1697
NPG 57

Charles Talbot, 1st Duke of Shrewsbury, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt - NPG 1424

Charles Talbot, 1st Duke of Shrewsbury

after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
oil on canvas, feigned oval, based on a work of circa 1699-1700
NPG 1424

John Benbow, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt - NPG 2950

John Benbow

after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
red chalk on paper, based on a work of circa 1701
NPG 2950

John Wallis, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt - NPG 578

John Wallis

after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
oil on canvas, feigned oval, based on a work of 1701
NPG 578

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