Sir Godfrey Kneller (Lübeck, 1646 – London, 1723) was one of the greatest portrait painters of his time. After training in the school and style of Rembrandt, he travelled widely in Italy before finally becoming established in England in 1676. There he was appointed the official court portrait painter during the reign of James II and was honoured with numerous stipends and distinctions. The English kings and queens were not his only sitters, however. He also painted the portraits of more than ten European monarchs of his day, as well as several hundred portraits of prominent figures including scientists, musicians and writers of the period.
This level of activity was only possible thanks to an efficient system of work. In his studio Kneller had a large team of assistants working to a standard that enabled him to fulfil all his commissions punctually. The artist’s superb technique and his portraits’ unmistakeable likeness to their subjects produced excellent results. When, in addition to these qualities, a portrait succeeds in capturing an exceptional, magical aura, the painting is a masterpiece. Such is the case of this portrait of an Anonymous Young Man, in which elegance, mystery and refinement combine to produce an outstanding work of art.
