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Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt

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Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt

by Isaac Beckett, published by John Smith, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
mezzotint, 1685-1688 (1685)
14 3/4 in. x 11 in. (373 mm x 280 mm) paper size
Given by Sir Herbert Henry Raphael, 1st Bt, 1916
Reference Collection
NPG D19603

Sitterback to top

  • Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt (1646-1723), Portrait painter. Sitter associated with 30 portraits, Artist associated with 1686 portraits.

Artistsback to top

  • Isaac Beckett (1652 or 1653-1688), Engraver. Artist associated with 184 portraits.
  • Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt (1646-1723), Portrait painter. Artist associated with 1686 portraits, Sitter associated with 30 portraits.
  • John Smith (1652-1743), Engraver. Artist associated with 1180 portraits, Sitter in 4 portraits.

Related worksback to top

  • NPG D3498: Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt (from same plate)
  • NPG D11493: Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt (from same plate)
  • NPG D36898: Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt (from same plate)
  • NPG 3794: Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt (source portrait)
  • NPG D36899: Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt (from same plate)

Placesback to top

Portrait setback to top

Subjects & Themesback to top

Events of 1685back to top

Current affairs

Charles II dies, his heir, Catholic brother, James II, succeeds to the throne. Despite deep distrust by many Protestants, he initially experiences unexpected popularity.
James Scott, Duke of Monmouth, leads the Monmouth Rebellion ambitious to seize the throne. Following his defeat at Sedgemoor, Monmouth is executed at Tower Hill.

Art and science

Opera Universa, by physician Thomas Sydenham, considered the father of English medicine, is published in London.
Organist, Henry Purcell composes, My heart is inditing, for the coronation of James II and his queen, Mary of Modena.
Writer on dentistry, Charles Allen publishes the earliest known English book on dentistry.

International

The Edict of Fontainebleau is issued by Louis XIV revoking the Edict of Nantes which gave Huguenots a right to practice their religion, free from persecution. Although Huguenots had steadily left France since the Dragonnades in 1681, this edict essentially ended official religious toleration in France.

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