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This outstanding portrait of a young lady in green was painted by the renowned court artist Sir Godfrey Kneller. The identity of the sitter is at present unknown, but various symbolic elements suggest it was painted to celebrate her marriage. The Convolvulus (or Bindweed) visible in the top left hand is a symbol of Christian purity; it’s iridescent whiteness, like that of the Lily, made it an appropriate symbol of innocence and purity. The bay leaves in the upper right achieve the same effect but draw instead upon mythological tradition; in order to resist Apollo’s advances Diana turned herself into a bay tree. The bay leaves, like the Convolvulus, therefore, pronounce the sitter's virginal qualities.
Under the reign of William and Mary, Kneller was the principal painter to the court. His work from this date reflects the profound influence of Flemish art, most of all Rubens, most notable here in the confident sketchy brushstroke and the typically hazy,...
This outstanding portrait of a young lady in green was painted by the renowned court artist Sir Godfrey Kneller. The identity of the sitter is at present unknown, but various symbolic elements suggest it was painted to celebrate her marriage. The Convolvulus (or Bindweed) visible in the top left hand is a symbol of Christian purity; it’s iridescent whiteness, like that of the Lily, made it an appropriate symbol of innocence and purity. The bay leaves in the upper right achieve the same effect but draw instead upon mythological tradition; in order to resist Apollo’s advances Diana turned herself into a bay tree. The bay leaves, like the Convolvulus, therefore, pronounce the sitter's virginal qualities.
Under the reign of William and Mary, Kneller was the principal painter to the court. His work from this date reflects the profound influence of Flemish art, most of all Rubens, most notable here in the confident sketchy brushstroke and the typically hazy, earthy-toned background.[1] The technical mastery of the present work firmly distinguishes it from the works of a more average quality produced by his prolific studio, many of which have, in the past, been unjustly attributed to the artist’s hand.
[1] Stewart, Sir Godfrey Kneller, p.43.
