Sir Godfrey Kneller

Sir Godfrey Kneller (1646, 1723) was a German-born British portrait painter who became the dominant court portraitist in England during the late 17th and early 18th centuries. He served as Principal Painter to the Crown under monarchs from Charles II to George I, producing iconic portrait series including the Kit-Cat Club portraits and the Hampton Court Beauties. His prolific studio output and grand Baroque style defined the conventions of English portraiture for generations.