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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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Sarah Churchill (née Jenyns (Jennings)), Duchess of Marlborough, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt - NPG 3634

Sarah Churchill (née Jenyns (Jennings)), Duchess of Marlborough

after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
oil on canvas, circa 1702, based on a work of circa 1702
On display in Room 3 on Floor 3 at the National Portrait Gallery
NPG 3634

Sir Isaac Newton, by Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt - NPG 2881

Sir Isaac Newton

by Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
oil on canvas, feigned oval, 1702
On display in Room 9 on Floor 3 at the National Portrait Gallery
NPG 2881

Charles FitzRoy, 2nd Duke of Grafton, by Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt - NPG 3210

Charles FitzRoy, 2nd Duke of Grafton

by Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
oil on canvas, circa 1703
On display in Room 8 on Floor 3 at the National Portrait Gallery
NPG 3210

Charles Lennox, 1st Duke of Richmond and Lennox, by Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt - NPG 3221

Charles Lennox, 1st Duke of Richmond and Lennox

by Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
oil on canvas, circa 1703
On display in Room 8 on Floor 3 at the National Portrait Gallery
NPG 3221

Charles Seymour, 6th Duke of Somerset, by Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt - NPG 3224

Charles Seymour, 6th Duke of Somerset

by Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
oil on canvas, circa 1703
On display in Room 8 on Floor 3 at the National Portrait Gallery
NPG 3224

Sidney Godolphin, 1st Earl of Godolphin, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt - NPG 1800

Sidney Godolphin, 1st Earl of Godolphin

after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
oil on canvas, feigned oval, 18th century, based on a work of circa 1704-1710
NPG 1800

John Locke, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt - NPG 550

John Locke

after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
oil on canvas, feigned oval, based on a work of 1704
NPG 550

Barbara Palmer (née Villiers), Duchess of Cleveland, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt - NPG 427

Barbara Palmer (née Villiers), Duchess of Cleveland

after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
oil on canvas, circa 1705, based on a work of circa 1705
NPG 427

Sir John Vanbrugh, by Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt - NPG 3231

Sir John Vanbrugh

by Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
oil on canvas, circa 1705
On display in Room 8 on Floor 3 at the National Portrait Gallery
NPG 3231

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