This charming picture was painted around 1725 and is of a type favoured by the extraordinarily successful artist, Sir Godfrey Kneller. The sitter has been portrayed in a luxurious silk dress with gold detail and two large diamond clasps.
The portrait genre was valued particularly highly in English society. Neither landscapes nor allegorical pictures were ever priced so highly at exhibitions and in the trade as depictions of people, from the highest aristocracy to scholars, writers, poets and statesmen.
The outstanding carved and gilded period frame is a work of art in itself.
Sir Godfrey Kneller (1646-1723) dominates our understanding of British portraiture at the turn of the seventeenth century. With Van Dyck, Lely and Reynolds, his name has become synonymous with the visual interpretation of British history – not least because he painted almost every person of prominence in forty years of British public life. This reputation was well-deserved, and although Kneller's age embraced many accomplished painters - John Closterman, for example, Jonathan Richardson the Elder, or Michael Dahl- none came close to Kneller in immediate fame, or in such instant association in the popular mind with the exercise of portraiture. Kneller is remembered for having painted ten ruling sovereigns, including every reigning British monarch from King Charles II to King George I.
Measurements: Height 94cm, Width 84cm framed (Height 37”, Width 33” framed)
More information about this painting can be found at: www.titanfineart.com
This painting has passed a strict quality quality and condition assessment by a professional conservator prior to going on sale.