Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt

Sitterback to top

• Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt (1646-1723), Portrait painter. Sitter associated with 30 portraits, Artist associated with 1666 portraits.

Artistback to top

• Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt (1646-1723), Portrait painter. Artist associated with 1666 portraits, Sitter associated with 30 portraits.

This portraitback to top

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 worksback to top

• NPG D11493: Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt (source portrait)
• NPG D3498: Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt (source portrait)
• NPG D36898: Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt (source portrait)
• NPG D19603: Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt (source portrait)
• NPG D36899: Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt ()

Linked publicationsback to top

• Audio Guide
• Ingamells, John, Later Stuart Portraits 1685-1714, 2009, p. 140
• 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

Subjects & Themesback to top

• On display at the Gallery
• Self-portraits
• Self-portraits tour