Godfrey Kneller (Lübeck 1646 – London 1723), Portrait of an English Noblewoman

Godfrey Kneller (Lübeck 1646 – London 1723) Portrait of an English noblewoman, presumably Mary Capel, Countess of Essex (1679–1726) Oil on canvas (128 x 104 cm - Framed 146 x 121 cm) Work published in the RKD archive (Netherlands Institute for Art History) item code 2240998, attributed to Godfrey Kneller https://rkd.nl/imageslite/2240998 FULL DETAILS OF THE WORK (click HERE) This magnificent portrait, exquisitely crafted and in excellent condition, depicts an elegant aristocratic woman wearing an iridescent ivory silk dress and wrapped in an elegantly draped mauve cloak that circles her figure, invading the surrounding space, giving depth and opulence to the composition. With her hair pulled back in a soft updo and a direct, serene gaze directed at the viewer, the portrait captures all the aristocratic grace and sense of confidence of the subject. It is undoubtedly a valuable work, attributed to Sir Godfrey Kneller (Lübeck 1646 – London 1723) and published with this reference on the catalog in the RKD archive: it is said to be the portrait of Mary Capel, Countess of Essex, daughter of William Bentinck, 1st Earl of Portland, an English nobleman of Dutch origin who soon became the favorite of William, Prince of Orange (future King of England) and his wife Anne Villiers. In 1692 Lady Mary married Lieutenant General Algernon Capel (1670-1710), 2nd Earl of Essex, as her first husband, and the couple had three children. A beautiful woman, Mary became one of the eight "Beauties" of Hampton Court, that is, the series of portraits commissioned from Sir Godfrey Kneller by Queen Mary II with the eight most fascinating ladies of her court, to furnish the rooms of the palace. For this reason, the Countess must have been a well-known figure in her time, and the notoriety of these "Beauties" meant that their image was very much in demand and many paintings were made of them. In our work, in particular, her figure emerges from a shadowy architectural background, illuminated by a light that enhances her complexion and sumptuous dress, characterized by a low-cut bodice and wide sleeves finished with delicate lace. Her pose is casual, she sits confidently while with one hand she gracefully points to a rose, a flower often included in Sir Godfrey Kneller's portraits assuming different symbolic meanings depending on the subject depicted: if placed next to a young woman it could indicate that the painting was commissioned close to the celebration of her marriage, symbolizing love and fertility. This is a type of portrait typically requested by the English nobility between the 17th and 18th centuries, where even the most aristocratic subjects loved to be portrayed without their trappings, without pompous clothes, fashionable accessories or elaborate hairstyles, to demonstrate that their status and their value were innate elements, and did not depend solely on material wealth exhibited with opulence. Below is the link to the digital collection of the RKD archive, with our published work and other works by Kneller with a similar subject, so that an immediate comparison can be easily made: LINK https://research.rkd.nl/nl/zoeken?size=n_20_n&filters%5B0%5D%5Bfield%5D=db&filters%5B0%5D%5B... Godfrey Kneller became the official painter of the English court and is considered, along with Peter Lely and Willem Wissing, among the masters of English portraiture between the 17th and 18th centuries. He painted every reigning British monarch, from King Charles II to King George I, as well as the most important figures in British society and public life. These portraits, publicly displayed in the royal palaces, were admired and so appreciated by the public that they induced a large number of patrons, mainly nobles, to want his workshop to take care of their family portraits. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: The work is sold complete with a pleasant antique frame and is equipped with a certificate of authenticity and descriptive iconographic sheet. We take care of and organize the transport of the purchased works, both for Italy and abroad, through professional and insured carriers. It is also possible to see the painting in the Riva del Garda gallery, we will be happy to welcome you to show you our collection of works. Contact us, without obligation, for any additional information. Follow us also on : https://www.instagram.com/galleriacastelbarco/?hl=it https://www.facebook.com/galleriacastelbarco/