Sir Godfrey Kneller (1646-1723): Self Portrait

Sir Godfrey, (studio) Kneller

Oil on canvas

c.1680-1685
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  • About the work
    Location
    Country: UK
    City: London
    Place: Government Hospitality, Lancaster House
  • About the artist
    Godfrey Kneller was born in Lübeck, Germany. He moved to Amsterdam in 1662 to study painting under Rembrandt and Ferdinand Bol. He later trained with Gianlorenzo Bernini and Carlo Maratta in Rome. He returned to Lübeck in 1675, before moving to Hamburg and then to London to study the works of van Dyck. In England he received commissions from prominent figures, including Charles II. Charles sent Kneller to France in 1684, to paint the portrait of Louis XIV. Kneller maintained his position at court after the accession of James II in 1685 and, when William and Mary came to the throne, he and portraitist John Riley became joint Principal Painters to the Crown. Following Riley’s death, Kneller alone retained the position. He was 77 when he died.
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  • Details
    Title
    Sir Godfrey Kneller (1646-1723): Self Portrait
    Date
    c.1680-1685
    Medium
    Oil on canvas
    Dimensions
    height: 72.00 cm, width: 61.00 cm
    Acquisition
    Purchased from Sotheby's, 25 June 1952
    Inscription
    insbr
    Provenance
    Sold through Sotheby's, London, ‘Modern Paintings and Drawings’ sale, on 25 June 1952 (Lot 79); from which sale purchased by the Ministry of Works
    GAC number
    1758