Sir Isaac Newton (1642-1727) natural philosopher and mathematician

Location

Country: UK
City: Wales
Place: Royal Mint, Llantrisant (long-term loans)

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.

People

Sir Isaac Newton (1642 - 1727)

Places

Subjects

male portrait, mathematics, physics, man, 18th century costume, wig, Knight

Materials & Techniques

canvas, oil, oil painting

Artist

Sir Godfrey, (after) Kneller

Title

Sir Isaac Newton (1642-1727) natural philosopher and mathematician

Date

Medium

Oil on canvas

Dimensions

height: 76.00 cm, width: 63.00 cm

Acquisition

Purchased from Sotheby's, 21 October 1964

Inscription

tr: SIR I. NEWTON.

Provenance

Collection of suspected murderer (Richard) John Bingham, 7th Earl of Lucan (1934-in or after 1974); by whom sold through Sotheby's, London, 'Old Master Paintings: including the property of the Rt. Hon. the Earl of Lucan...' sale, on 21 October 1964 (Lot 3); from which sale purchased by the Ministry of Works

GAC number

6732