Updated October 2026 · ranked by our popularity score (searches, visits and orders for each work) · 372 works by Godfrey Kneller in our catalogue
In short
Of all the originals Godfrey Kneller left, the most famous is Isaac Newton (1702). Close behind it come Portrait of Pyotr Potyomkin (1682) and William Russell, 1st Duke of Bedford (1690). Our catalog holds 372 works by Godfrey Kneller; the gallery has kept the 100 the world admires most, each shown with its date, its museum and its story.
This portrait of Isaac Newton was executed by Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt. in 1702. The sitter, recognized as one of the greatest of all scientists and thinkers, is presented through the meticulous technique of a painter who served the courts of Charles II, James II, William and Mary, and George I. Kneller’s position as a prominent portraitist is reflected in this depiction of a man whose intellectual contributions fundamentally altered…
Sir Godfrey Kneller’s “Portrait of Pyotr Potyomkin” (1682) is more than just a likeness; it's a meticulously crafted tableau of power, ambition, and the carefully constructed image of a formidable Russian statesman. Painted during the reign of Charles II in England, this remarkable work offers a rare glimpse into the intricate world of European diplomacy and the burgeoning influence of Russia on the continent. The portrait depicts Potyomkin, a high-ranking…
A single figure occupies the center of the frame, anchored by the gravity of his own station. William Russell, 1st Duke of Bedford, is rendered in a moment of stillness, his presence defined by the heavy architecture of his ceremonial robes. The light catches the sharp, white edges of a lace cravat and the powdered texture of a voluminous periwig. He is a pillar of fabric and bone against a…
A single light source strikes from the upper left, carving the face of Thomas Wharton out of a deep, somber shadow. He sits in a three-quarter pose, his gaze fixed directly upon the viewer with a steady, unblinking authority. The darkness behind him is a warm, muted brown, pushing his figure forward into the room. His hair, a voluminous mass of light brown curls, frames a face of smooth skin…
A single, heavy shadow anchors the room. Within this darkness, Richard Lumley, 2nd Earl of Scarbrough, emerges through a sudden collision of light and texture. He is positioned in a three-quarter view, his body turned slightly away while his eyes lock onto the viewer with a steady, direct gaze. A voluminous, light brown periwig frames a face rendered with smooth, pale precision. The light catches the crest of his white…
In this 1690 portrait, Queen Anne is presented with a quiet, commanding dignity that defines the Baroque era. She is captured in a three-quarter length pose, standing with a poised elegance that suggests both her royal status and a certain personal composure. The composition draws the eye through the sweeping curves of her heavy drapery and the fluid folds of her gown, creating a sense of movement within a formal…
The portrait presents Robert Harley, 1st Earl of Oxford, in a vertical three-quarter length composition. He is positioned slightly off-center against a muted, dark ochre background. The subject wears a large powdered wig and an elaborate lace cravat. A heavy blue mantle, lined with white ermine fur, drapes over his shoulders and falls in voluminous, flowing curves. Beneath this, his period clothing features structured silhouettes and textures of silk and…
The room falls away into a deep, impenetrable darkness, leaving only the man to emerge from the gloom. He sits in a three-quarter view, his body angled toward the right while his gaze meets the viewer from the left, creating an immediate sense of encounter. A strong, singular light source strikes his face and the voluminous, snowy curls of his powdered wig, casting the rest of his form into a…
This oil on canvas portrait by Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt. depicts Charles Townshend, 2nd Viscount Townshend. The subject is presented in a full-length, vertical composition, positioned slightly off-center against a dark, atmospheric background. He is shown wearing voluminous red velvet robes accented by white ermine fur and a lace cravat. A large, white wig frames his face, which is illuminated by a light source from the side, creating a chiaroscuro…
The subject is a young man positioned in a three-quarter length view against a dark, indistinct background. He wears a deep reddish-orange velvet jacket that catches the light, creating highlights on the folds of the fabric. A white, ruffled shirt is visible at the neck, providing a sharp tonal contrast to the darker tones of his attire. On his head, he wears a turban-like cap with voluminous folds. The lighting…
Anthony Leigh1689 · National Portrait Gallery
12
Sir John Vanbrugh1707 · National Portrait Gallery
13
Unknown man, formerly known as Henry Sidney, Earl of Romney1700 · National Portrait Gallery
14
Edward Southwell1702
15
Sidney Godolphin, 1st Earl of Godolphin1707 · National Portrait Gallery
16
Aubrey de Vere, 20th Earl of Oxford1690 · National Portrait Gallery
17
Charles Seymour, 6th Duke of Somerset1703 · National Portrait Gallery
18
Portrait of Johann Philipp Schönborn, elector of Mainz1666 · Kunsthistorisches Museum
19
Arthur Maynwaring1707 · National Portrait Gallery
20
William Pulteney, 1st Earl of Bath1717 · National Portrait Gallery
21
Edward Russell, Earl of Orford, Captain John Benbow and Admiral Ralph Delavall1692 · Government Art Collection
22
King George I1716 · National Portrait Gallery
23
Self-portrait1670
24
Sir Henry Booth, 1st Earl of Warrington (1651-1694)1674 · Dunham Massey Hall
25
Abraham banishes Hagar and Ishmael1670 · Bavarian State Painting Collections
26
Georg Schweigger1674 · Herzog Anton Ulrich Museum
27
A scholar in his study1668 · Agnes Etherington Art Center
28
Scholar in His Study1668
29
Portrait of Johann Adam Reincken1674 · Museum für Hamburgische Geschichte
30
The Philosopher1668 · St. Anne's Museum
31
Walter Charleton MD (1619-1707)1670 · The Hunterian Museum and Art Gallery
32
Elijah and the Angel1672 · Tate Britain
33
Margrave Johann Friedrich von Brandenburg-Ansbach1681 · Bavarian State Painting Collections
34
Barbara Talbot, Viscountess Longueville (c.1670-1763) as a girl1677 · Lacock Abbey
35
Catherine Sedley, Countess of Dorchester (1657-1717)1685 · Kedleston Hall
36
Charles Boyle, 3rd Earl of Cork and 2nd Earl of Burlington (c.1662-1704)1680 · Hardwick Hall
37
Possibly Colonel William Windham I, MP (1647-1689)1684 · Felbrigg Hall
38
Sir Richard Onslow, 1st Baron Onslow (1654-1717), Speaker of the House of Commons, 1708 - 17101680 · Clandon Park
39
Princess Anne, later Queen Anne (1665-1714)1683
40
Catherine Wheatley, Mrs Thomas Lucy, later Duchess of Northumberland (d.1714)1680 · Charlecote Park
41
Captain Thomas Lucy (c.1655 – 1684)1680 · Charlecote Park
42
Alice Sherard, Lady Brownlow (1659-1721)1680 · Belton House
43
Sarah Churchill, Duchess of Marlborough (1660–1744)1680 · Antony House
44
Admiral Sir Thomas Allin, 1612-851680 · National Maritime Museum
45
Portrait of John Banckes1676
46
Philip, 4th Lord of Wharton1685
47
James II (1633-1701) when Duke of York1684 · Royal Collection
48
Sir George Mackenzie, 1636 - 1691. Founder of the Advocates Library1680 · Scottish National Portrait Gallery
49
Sir George Mackenzie, 1636 - 1691. Founder of the Advocates Library1680 · Scottish National Portrait Gallery
50
Self-Portrait1680 · Yale Center for British Art
51
The Moroccan Ambassador1684
52
Edward Loveden1680 · Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru
53
Portrait of Sir Robert Howard1698
54
Sarah Jennings, Duchess of Marlborough (1660-1744)1694 · Petworth House
55
Sir Thomas Osborne, 1st Earl of Danby, later 1st Duke of Leeds (1631 - 1712) in Garter Robes1691
56
King Charles II (1630–1685)1694 · Mompesson House
57
Charles Sackville, 6th Earl of Dorset and 1st Earl of Middlesex (1638-1706)1694 · Knole House
58
Sir Thomas Felton (1649-1708/9)1699 · Ickworth
59
An Unknown Lady with her Son1696 · Hartwell House
60
Rachel Russell, Duchess of Devonshire (1674 – 1725)1692 · Hardwick Hall
61
Charles Boyle, 3rd Earl of Cork and 2nd Earl of Burlington (c.1662-1704)1695 · Hardwick Hall
62
Catherine Bower, Lady Ashe or Mrs Packer (c.1671 - 1717)1690 · Felbrigg Hall
63
Ashe Windham, MP (1673-1749)1689 · Felbrigg Hall
64
Colonel William Windham I, MP (1647-1689)1696 · Felbrigg Hall
65
Samuel Pepys, 1633-17031689 · National Maritime Museum
66
Admiral Edward Russell, 1652-1727, 1st Earl of Orford1693 · National Maritime Museum
67
William Hewer, 1642-17151689 · National Maritime Museum
68
William III (1650-1702), Prince of Orange, King of England1690
69
Portrait of William III of Orange 1650-1702)1690
70
Thomas Papillon1698 · National Portrait Gallery
71
Charles Sackville, 6th Earl of Dorset1697 · National Portrait Gallery
72
Charles Townshend, 2nd Viscount Townshend1690 · National Portrait Gallery
73
Charles Montagu, 1st Earl of Halifax1690 · National Portrait Gallery
74
Sir Anthony Deane1690 · National Portrait Gallery
75
William, Duke of Gloucester (1689-1700), when a Child1691 · Royal Collection
76
Diana De Vere, Duchess of St. Albans (d.1742)1691 · Hampton Court Palace
77
Mary Scrope, later Mrs Pitt (b.1676)1691 · Hampton Court Palace
78
Carey Fraser, Countess of Peterborough (d.1709)1690 · Hampton Court Palace
79
Mary Bentinck, Countess of Essex (d.1726)1690 · Hampton Court Palace
80
Mary Compton, Countess of Dorset (1669-91)1690 · Hampton Court Palace
81
Isabella Bennett, Duchess of Grafton (1667-1723)1690 · Hampton Court Palace
82
Mary II (1662-1694)1690 · Royal Collection
83
Frances Whitmore, Lady Middleton (c. 1666-94)1690 · Hampton Court Palace
84
William III (1650-1702) in Garter Robes1697 · Royal Collection
85
William, Duke of Gloucester (1689-1700)1699 · Royal Collection
86
Portrait of a Woman as St. Agnes, Traditionally Identified as Catherine Voss1697 · Yale Center for British Art
87
Portrait of canon Frans de Cock, cantor of the cathedral of Antwerp1697 · Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp
88
Portrait of Johan Hulft1697 · Museum Het Valkhof
89
John Drummond, 1st Earl of Melfort, Secretary of State for Scotland and Jacobite1688 · Scottish National Portrait Gallery
90
John Dryden1693 · National Portrait Gallery
91
A Warrior1700 · Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery
92
A Warrior1700 · Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery
93
King William III of England Returning from the Peace of Ryswick, Margate, 16971701 · National Gallery of Ireland
94
Sir Richard Onslow, 1st Baron Onslow (1654-1717), Speaker of the House of Commons (1708 - 1710)1710 · Clandon Park
95
Charles Sackville, 6th Earl of Dorset (1638-1706)1700 · Sissinghurst Castle
96
Admiral George Delaval, MP (1668 -1723)1710
97
Queen Anne (1665-1714)1705 · Petworth House
98
Arnold Joost Van Keppel, 1st Earl of Albemarle (1669-1718)1701 · Mount Stewart
99
Peter Legh XII (1669-1744)1702 · Lyme Park
100
James Butler, 2nd Duke of Ormonde (1665-1745)1707 · Knole House
The four subjects that come back most often in these originals, each with its finest example.
The 8 museums that hold the most of the paintings on this page.
| Museum | City | Works by Godfrey Kneller | Paintings from this list |
|---|---|---|---|
 National Portrait Gallery |
London | 70 | William Russell, 1st Duke of Bedford, Thomas Wharton, 1st Marquess of Wharton, Richard Lumley, 2nd Earl of Scarbrough |
 Hampton Court Palace |
London | 10 | Diana De Vere, Duchess of St. Albans (d.1742), Mary Scrope, later Mrs Pitt (b.1676), Carey Fraser, Countess of Peterborough (d.1709) |
 Royal Collection |
London | 12 | James II (1633-1701) when Duke of York, William, Duke of Gloucester (1689-1700), when a Child, Mary II (1662-1694) |
 National Maritime Museum |
London | 23 | Admiral Sir Thomas Allin, 1612-85, Samuel Pepys, 1633-1703, Admiral Edward Russell, 1652-1727, 1st Earl of Orford |
 Felbrigg Hall |
Norwich | 4 | Possibly Colonel William Windham I, MP (1647-1689), Catherine Bower, Lady Ashe or Mrs Packer (c.1671 - 1717), Ashe Windham, MP (1673-1749) |
 Hardwick Hall |
9 | Charles Boyle, 3rd Earl of Cork and 2nd Earl of Burlington (c.1662-1704), Rachel Russell, Duchess of Devonshire (1674 – 1725), Charles Boyle, 3rd Earl of Cork and 2nd Earl of Burlington (c.1662-1704) | |
 Scottish National Portrait Gallery |
Edinburgh | 6 | Sir George Mackenzie, 1636 - 1691. Founder of the Advocates Library, Sir George Mackenzie, 1636 - 1691. Founder of the Advocates Library, John Drummond, 1st Earl of Melfort, Secretary of State for Scotland and Jacobite |
 Yale Center for British Art |
New Haven | 6 | Self-Portrait, Portrait of a Woman as St. Agnes, Traditionally Identified as Catherine Voss |
Pick a decade to see the original that defines it.
The Portrait of Johann Philipp Schönborn, elector of Mainz is an oil on canvas work created by the artist Godfrey Kneller. Painted in 1666, this portrait captures Johann Philipp von Schönborn in a moment of formal stillness. The subject sits within a dark, quiet space, his presence defined by the sharp contrast of his white collar against heavy, dark ecclesiastical attire. Light finds the planes of his face and the…
This oil on canvas work is the Self-portrait by the artist Godfrey Kneller. The painting was created about 1670. It depicts the artist himself within a studio setting, surrounded by various objects related to the practice of painting and classical study.
Sir Godfrey Kneller’s “Portrait of Pyotr Potyomkin” (1682) is more than just a likeness; it's a meticulously crafted tableau of power, ambition, and the carefully constructed image of a formidable Russian statesman. Painted during the reign of Charles II in England, this remarkable work offers a rare glimpse into the intricate world of European diplomacy and the burgeoning influence of Russia on the continent. The portrait depicts Potyomkin, a high-ranking…
A single figure occupies the center of the frame, anchored by the gravity of his own station. William Russell, 1st Duke of Bedford, is rendered in a moment of stillness, his presence defined by the heavy architecture of his ceremonial robes. The light catches the sharp, white edges of a lace cravat and the powdered texture of a voluminous periwig. He is a pillar of fabric and bone against a…
This portrait of Isaac Newton was executed by Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt. in 1702. The sitter, recognized as one of the greatest of all scientists and thinkers, is presented through the meticulous technique of a painter who served the courts of Charles II, James II, William and Mary, and George I. Kneller’s position as a prominent portraitist is reflected in this depiction of a man whose intellectual contributions fundamentally altered…
A single light source strikes from the upper left, carving the face of Thomas Wharton out of a deep, somber shadow. He sits in a three-quarter pose, his gaze fixed directly upon the viewer with a steady, unblinking authority. The darkness behind him is a warm, muted brown, pushing his figure forward into the room. His hair, a voluminous mass of light brown curls, frames a face of smooth skin…
Isaac Newton (1702). Portrait of Pyotr Potyomkin (1682) and William Russell, 1st Duke of Bedford (1690) come next.
56 years old: Isaac Newton dates from 1702, and Godfrey Kneller was born in 1646.
Isaac Newton, Portrait of Pyotr Potyomkin, William Russell, 1st Duke of Bedford, Thomas Wharton, 1st Marquess of Wharton, Richard Lumley, 2nd Earl of Scarbrough, Queen Anne, Robert Harley, 1st Earl of Oxford, Sir Samuel Garth, Charles Townshend, 2nd Viscount Townshend and Charles Fitzroy, 2nd Duke of Grafton. The ranking above gives each one's year and museum.
Our catalog holds 372 works by Godfrey Kneller, dated from 1666 to 1717.
Mostly in National Portrait Gallery (London), Hampton Court Palace (London) and Royal Collection (London). The museum table above lists them all.
In 1690s: 38 of the 100 works on this page were made then, William Russell, 1st Duke of Bedford among them.
On this page, the earliest is Portrait of Johann Philipp Schönborn, elector of Mainz (1666) and the latest Richard Lumley, 2nd Earl of Scarbrough (1717).
Man (68), Wig (34) and Lace (24), across the 100 works on this page.
Oil On Canvas, for 86 of the 100 works on this page.
Baroque, judging by the originals on this page.
William Russell, 1st Duke of Bedford, Thomas Wharton, 1st Marquess of Wharton and Richard Lumley, 2nd Earl of Scarbrough: the National Portrait Gallery, London holds 23 of the works on this page.
