Manner of Godfrey Kneller – A 17th Century Portrait of a Gentleman

Dimensions refer to frame.

A late seventeenth century portrait of a gentleman, believed to be Sir Richard Steele, seated with a hound.

Oil on canvas, set in a carved giltwood frame.

Sir Richard Steele (baptised 12 March 1672; died 1 September 1729) was an Irish politician and writer. He was a member of the Protestant gentry. Steele was educated at Charterhouse School, where he first met Joseph Addison, with whom he founded the Spectator Magazine. He studied at Christ Church and Merton College, Oxford before joining the Life Guards of the Household Cavalry in support of King William in the wars against France. His other responsibilities included serving as Member of Parliament for Stockbridge and later Boroughbridge as well as the running of The Theatre Royal in Drury Lane, London. He is best remembered for his publications which in addition to The Spectator include the original Tatler and The Guardian.