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

German-born but Dutch trained, Kneller settled in England in 1676. He became the greatest master of the English baroque portrait and, as court painter to four sovereigns, dominated English art for more than thirty years. This self-portrait shows him wearing across his chest a gold chain from which hangs a medal with a profile head of William III, a gift from the king and queen. The view to the left is of Whitton Hall, Twickenham, built by Kneller between 1709-11.

Related worksback to top

• NPG D19209: Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt (source portrait)
• NPG D19251: Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt (source portrait)
• NPG D33091: Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt (source portrait)
• NPG D3439: Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt (source portrait)
• NPG D30409: Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt (source portrait)

Linked publicationsback to top

• Ingamells, John, Later Stuart Portraits 1685-1714, 2009, p. 141
• Saywell, David; Simon, Jacob, Complete Illustrated Catalogue, 2004, p. 357

Portrait setback to top

• The Kit-cat Club portraits: paintings by Sir Godfrey Kneller, circa 1697-1721

Subject/Themeback to top

• Self-portraits