European Art and Old Masters

Note

Sir Godfrey Kneller was the leading portraitist in England from the late 17^th through the early 18^th century. Born in Germany, he studied with Ferdinand Bol in Amsterdam before settling in England in the 1670s. In addition to being a court painter–Kneller was appointed Principal Painter in Ordinary–he was a heralded society painter, as seen in the present painting: a three-quarter length portrait of a seated Elizabeth Whitmore, with landscape beyond. Elizabeth was the daughter of Roger Pope, who served with James II’s Parliament, and was the wife of William Whitmore, whose family were land owners in Apley, Shropshire beginning in 1582. Kneller also painted portraits of other members of the Whitmore family, including Mary Whitmore, Frances Whitmore, Lady Middleton, and the aforementioned William Whitmore of Apley, and he was considered the premier portrait painter in England following the passing of Sir Peter Lely in 1680.