Mrs Rider, Sister of John Smith, Speaker of the House of Commons

Location

Country: UK
City: London
Place: Government Hospitality, Lancaster House

John Riley, born in London, was justly described by Horace Walpole as one of the best native painters who had then flourished in England. However, his talents have been somewhat obscured by the fame of Kneller. Charles II sat for Riley (his three-quarter length portrait is now in the Bodleian Library, Oxford) and, in 1689, Riley was jointly appointed ‘Principal Painter’ to William III and Queen Mary, with Kneller. Riley's pupils included Anthony Russell, Edward Gouge, Thomas Murray and Jonathan Richardson Riley the elder. He died in London and was buried in Bishopsgate Church in the City.

Places

Subjects

female portrait, woman, 18th century costume, dress, sister, Speaker of the House of Commons

Materials & Techniques

canvas, oil, oil painting

Artist

John Riley (1646 - 1691)

Title

Mrs Rider, Sister of John Smith, Speaker of the House of Commons

Date

c.1675

Medium

Oil on canvas

Dimensions

height: 76.50 cm, width: 63.50 cm

Acquisition

Purchased from Agnew's, 1949

Inscription

none

Provenance

With Agnew’s Gallery, London; from whom purchased in 1949

GAC number

711