Sir Godfrey Kneller

Sir Godfrey Kneller (1646–1723) was a German-born painter who became the leading portraitist in late 17th- and early 18th-century England, defining the visual identity of the British monarchy and aristocracy for over four decades. Born Gottfried Kniller in Lübeck, he first trained in Amsterdam under Ferdinand Bol and Rembrandt’s circle before studying in Italy, where he absorbed the grand manner of Baroque portraiture. By 1676, Kneller had settled in London, where his sophistication, commanding style, and ability to convey both likeness and dignity quickly brought him to prominence.

Appointed Principal Painter to the Crown by Charles II, Kneller served five successive monarchs—Charles II, James II, William III, Mary II, and George I—and was knighted in 1692, later receiving a baronetcy in 1715. His portraits of courtiers, statesmen, and intellectuals, such as those in the celebrated Kit-Cat Club series, captured the confidence and refinement of Restoration and early Georgian England. Characterized by their elegant poses, fluid brushwork, and sense of aristocratic grandeur, Kneller’s works bridged the rich drama of the Baroque with the emerging taste for 18th-century restraint. His influence on British portraiture was profound, shaping the style later advanced by artists such as Reynolds and Gainsborough, and securing his reputation as one of the most important portrait painters in English history.