Kneller, Godfrey (1646-1723)
Creator details
- Name
- Kneller, Godfrey (1646-1723)
- Nationality
- English
- Biography
- Godfrey Kneller was a German-born painter who became one of the leading portrait artists of his time in England. Born in Lübeck in 1646, he studied art in Amsterdam and Rome before settling in England in 1676. He quickly gained a reputation for his skill in capturing the likeness and character of his sitters, and was appointed court painter to King William III and Queen Mary II in 1688. He went on to paint portraits of many other members of the royal family, as well as leading figures in politics, science, and the arts. Kneller was also a founding member of the Royal Academy of Arts in London, and served as its first president from 1711 until his death in 1723. His style was characterized by a grandeur and elegance that reflected the taste of the time, and his portraits are still admired for their technical skill and psychological insight.
