Roy Precious - Antiques & Fine Art has dated this piece to the Before 1700 period.
By concentrating entirely on the features of the sitter, with no distractions from clothing or poses, we are in a direct one-to-one with this handsome lady.
The quality of the painting is superb, and the sensitive treatment gives us a feeling of insight into the sitter's character.
SIR GODFREY KNELLER (1646-1723) studied under Ferdinand Bol, and perhaps Rembrandt himself in the 1660s. He was in Rome and Venice between 1672 and 1675, settling in England in 1676 for life. He was soon employed at Court and became the most successful portraitist of the generation following Lely. He enjoyed the office of Principal Painter, at first jointly with John Riley (d.1691), from shortly after the accession of William and Mary in 1688 until his death. He was knighted in 1692 and became a baronet in 1715.
His work fully expresses the spirit of the English Baroque, and includes penetrating studies of many of the leading figures of Whig Society such as the famous Kit-Kat portraits now in the National Portrait Gallery (Beningborough Hall, Yorkshire),
SIZE: 22 x 20 inches inc. frame. Canvas size: 15 x 13 inches.
PROVENANCE:Private Collection, Sussex.
Roy Precious - Antiques & Fine Art has dated this piece to the Before 1700 period.
Roy and nadine precious: specialists in portraiture from the 16th to the 20th century. Established in 1972.
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Portrait of a Lady C.1695, Attributed to Sir Godfrey Kneller.
