KNELLER, Sir (101)FREY ( 16111. 7231.
A German portrait painter, who worked ly in England. Ile was born at Liibeek, Germany, S. 1646, the son of a portrait painter, named Knitter. lie studied under Ferdinand Bol at Amsterdam, with oe,-asional lessons from Rembrandt. With his brother Ferdinand, folio way also a painter. lie traveled in Italy, studying at Rome. and especially at Venice. On his return to Germany he painted with success at Nuremberg, Hamburg, and elseuhme, and in 1675 he went to England. Ile was given an opportunity to portray Charles 11. at the same sitting with Sir Peter Lely, and at once won favor by his superior rapidity of execution and excellent likeness. Being hand some and witty, his success at Court was assured. On the death of Lel•. in 1680. he was made Court painter. His sitters included all persons of rank and distinction of his day. lie painted fourteen reigning sovereigns, among whom were Louis XIV., Peter the Great, and the kings and queens of England from Charles 11. to George I.
After having been knighted by William Ill. in 1693. and made a baronet by George I. in 1715, he died In London. October 19, 1723, and was buried in Westminster Abbey. Sixlern criticism does not indorse the eulogies of KneHer's paint ing by Dryden. Addison, and other distinguished contemporaries. Ilis art was modeled on that of Van Dyck; his canvases are smoothly painted, with much elegance and little character. his best-known works are the "Beauties" of Hampton Court. twelve ladies of IVilliam 111.'s Court, painted as a coanterpiece of Lely's series for Charles 11.; and the "Kit-Cat Club." now in private possession in London. KneIler himself esteemed his portrait of Francis Couplet. a con verted Chinese, his best work. Consult Acker mann, Der Portriit-Jialer Knellcr zur Kunstbildung seiner Zeit (Lubeck, 1845).