A Late 17th Century Portrait of King William III After Sir Godfrey Kneller

Dimensions relate to size of frame.

A late 17th century full length portrait depicting King William III of England, Ireland & Scotland, depicted in his coronation robes.

Oil on canvas, set within a giltwood frame.

Painted circa 1690 this portrait of King William III is a scaled down version of an original portrait, by Godfrey Kneller, now hanging in Windsor Castle. Considered a good likeness of the King, numerous copies – such as this particular portrait – were commissioned by supporters of the new Protestant monarch as well as his friends and ministers, foreign royalty and overseas representatives. The scale of this particular painting suggests it would have been intended perhaps for a London townhouse, having hung in a smaller drawing room or hallway. Larger renditions are documented in country houses such as Hatfield House and Penshurst Place.

Godfrey Kneller was born in Germany in 1646 and studied in Amsterdam before travelling to Rome and Venice where his style developed through his portraiture of the Italian nobility. Arriving in England in 1676, he immediately established himself as an important portrait painter, becoming Principal Painter to the Court under the reign of Charles II. Celebrated for his graceful composition and fluid brushstrokes, he continued to paint English and British monarchs up to and including George I. Amongst his most famous works are the ‘Hampton Court Beauties’, commissioned by Queen Mary II, which portray the ladies of the Court of King William III. Kneller died of fever in the United Kingdom in 1723 and buried in Twickenham, Middlesex. A memorial was later erected to him in Westminster Abbey.