Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt

Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt

by Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
oil on canvas, feigned oval, 1685
29 3/4 in. x 24 3/4 in. (756 mm x 629 mm)
Purchased, 1951
Primary Collection
NPG 3794

Sitter

Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt (1646-1723), Portrait painter. Sitter associated with 21 portraits, Artist associated with 1503 portraits.

Artist

Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt (1646-1723), Portrait painter. Artist associated with 1503 portraits, Sitter associated with 21 portraits.

This Portrait

Born in Germany, Kneller trained as an artist in Amsterdam and then in Italy. He settled in England in 1676 and gained an introduction to Court circles through the Duke of Monmouth. Dashing and worldly, he rapidly established an extremely successful business as a portrait painter. His production was immense, and his large team of assistants formed virtually a factory; the standard product was mechanical and lifeless, yet Kneller's individual masterpieces rank as high as any portraits produced in Europe in his time. This self-portrait of 1685 demonstrates his power as an artist before it was diluted by mass production.

Related Works

NPG D11493: Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt (after)
NPG D3498: Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt (after)

Linked Publications

Sound Guide
The National Portrait Gallery, 1997, p. 77
Ollard, Richard, Character Sketches: Samuel Pepys and His Circle, 2000, p. 54
Saumarez Smith, Charles, The National Portrait Gallery: an illustrated guide, 2000, p. 77
Saumarez Smith, Charles, The National Portrait Gallery, 1997, p. 77
Saywell, David; Simon, Jacob, Complete Illustrated Catalogue, 2004, p. 357

Subject/Theme

Self-portraits