Period Portraits

Description

A fine and highly decorative 18th century portrait of a lady, traditionally identified as Flora MacFarlane, by an artist in the circle of Sir Godfrey Kneller (1646-1723)

Comparatively few portraits of this period depict the sitter in profile and this elegant young beauty is turned to the left, her long swanlike neck is extended and her hair is gathered loosely upwards and held in place with a flower strewn head band.

Flora has a peaches and cream complexion and rosebud lips and she wears a vivid blue silk dress held in place at her shoulder with a single pearl. Of particular note are the well preserved pigments of this painting and also the impasto brushwork employed by the artist.

This fine painting is presented in an excellent state of conservation and is ready to hang and enjoy in its original elaborate antique frame with mellow gilding, which is itself a work of art.

Sir Godfrey Kneller (1646-1723)
Kneller studied under Ferdinand Bol, and perhaps Rembrandt himself in the 1660s. He was in Rome and Venice between 1672 and 1675, settling in England in 1676 for life. He was soon employed at Court and became the most successful portraitist of the generation following Lely. He enjoyed the office of Principal Painter to the King, at first jointly with John Riley (d.1691), from shortly after the accession of William and Mary in 1688 until his death. He was knighted in 1692 and became a baronet in 1715. His work fully expresses the spirit of the English Baroque, and his influence on other artists was great.

Higher resolution images on request.
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Oval canvas: 24in x 17.5in / 60cm x 50cm
Framed: 31.5in x 26in / 78cm x 67cm

Price: £7250