Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
(1646-1723), Portrait painterSitter 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.
John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough
by Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
oil on canvas, circa 1706
On display in Room 7 on Floor 3 at the National Portrait Gallery
NPG 902
Charles Mohun, 4th Baron Mohun
by Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
oil on canvas, 1707
On display in Room 8 on Floor 3 at the National Portrait Gallery
NPG 3218
by Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
oil on canvas, circa 1707
NPG 3228
by Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
oil on canvas, circa 1707
NPG 5751
John Vaughan, 3rd Earl of Carbery
by Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
oil on canvas, circa 1708
NPG 3196
studio of Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
oil on canvas, circa 1708, based on a work of circa 1708
NPG 1134
by Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt, and studio of Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
oil on canvas, circa 1708
NPG 3232
studio of Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
oil on canvas, circa 1709
NPG 67
Evelyn Pierrepont, 1st Duke of Kingston
by Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
oil on canvas, 1709
NPG 3213
John Montagu, 2nd Duke of Montagu
by Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
oil on canvas, 1709
NPG 3219
James Berkeley, 3rd Earl of Berkeley
by Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
oil on canvas, circa 1710
NPG 3195
by Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
oil on canvas, circa 1710
NPG 3217
Richard Boyle, 2nd Viscount Shannon
by Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
oil on canvas, circa 1710
On display in Room 8 on Floor 3 at the National Portrait Gallery
NPG 3235
James Stanhope, 1st Earl Stanhope
by Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
oil on canvas, circa 1710
NPG 3225
Anne Spencer (née Churchill), Countess of Sunderland
by Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
oil on canvas, circa 1710
NPG 803
Spencer Compton, Earl of Wilmington
by Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
oil on canvas, circa 1710
NPG 3234
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