Sir Isaac Newton (1642-1727) natural philosopher and mathematician

  • About the work
    Location
    Country: UK
    City: Wales
    Place: Royal Mint, Llantrisant (long-term loans)


  • About the artist
    Godfrey Kneller was born in Lübeck, Germany. He moved to Amsterdam in 1662 to study painting under Rembrandt and Ferdinand Bol. He later trained with Gianlorenzo Bernini and Carlo Maratta in Rome. He returned to Lübeck in 1675, before moving to Hamburg and then to London to study the works of van Dyck. In England he received commissions from prominent figures, including Charles II. Charles sent Kneller to France in 1684, to paint the portrait of Louis XIV. Kneller maintained his position at court after the accession of James II in 1685 and, when William and Mary came to the throne, he and portraitist John Riley became joint Principal Painters to the Crown. Following Riley’s death, Kneller alone retained the position. He was 77 when he died.
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  • Details
    Title
    Sir Isaac Newton (1642-1727) natural philosopher and mathematician
    Date
    Medium
    Oil on canvas
    Dimensions
    height: 76.00 cm, width: 63.00 cm
    Acquisition
    Purchased from Sotheby's, 21 October 1964
    Inscription
    tr: SIR I. NEWTON.
    Provenance
    Collection of suspected murderer (Richard) John Bingham, 7th Earl of Lucan (1934-in or after 1974); by whom sold through Sotheby's, London, 'Old Master Paintings: including the property of the Rt. Hon. the Earl of Lucan...' sale, on 21 October 1964 (Lot 3); from which sale purchased by the Ministry of Works
    GAC number
    6732