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George Knapton Most Popular Paintings

The 25 artworks by George Knapton our visitors ask for most, ranked by popularity and presented one by one, with the specification and the price of each hand-painted reproduction.

Edition 2026 · 25 artworks Each artwork painted to order
Linen canvas · Certificate of authenticity · Delivered worldwide George Knapton · 1698 – 1778

Portrait of a Gentleman

1750 · National Gallery of Art, Washington · original 71.1 x 55.7cm

This 1750 oil portrait by George Knapton captures a gentleman with quiet dignity. Shop this elegant masterpiece today.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 1 of 30 artworks by George Knapton
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18128 × 36 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$27256 × 71 cm Commission at original size

A Graduate of Merton College, Oxford

1754 · National Gallery of Art, Washington · original 127.7 x 102.1cm

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 2 of 30 artworks by George Knapton
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18128 × 36 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$545102 × 128 cm Commission at original size

Portrait of a Woman

1740 · Yale Center for British Art, New Haven · original 89.9 x 70.5cm

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 3 of 30 artworks by George Knapton
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18128 × 36 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$34471 × 90 cm Commission at original size

Dr Samuel Wathen With His Wife And Children

1755 · Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, Birmingham · original 114.7 x 160.8cm

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 4 of 30 artworks by George Knapton
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$25637 × 27 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$782161 × 115 cm Commission at original size

Philip Dormer Stanhope, 4th Earl of Chesterfield (1694-1773)

1745 · original 250.1 x 163.8cm

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 5 of 30 artworks by George Knapton
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18126 × 39 cm Commission this artwork

Lady Dorothy Boyle, Countess of Euston (1724 – 1742)

1742 · original 51.0 x 40.0cm

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 6 of 30 artworks by George Knapton
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18128 × 36 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$21340 × 51 cm Commission at original size

Edward Morrison

original 75.3 x 62.9cm

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 7 of 30 artworks by George Knapton
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18129 × 35 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$29563 × 75 cm Commission at original size

Portrait of Walter Smythe

original 122.2 x 101.5cm

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 8 of 30 artworks by George Knapton
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18129 × 35 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$526102 × 122 cm Commission at original size

The Reverend Nicolas Tindal, 1687-1774

1729 · original 127.0 x 101.5cm

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 9 of 30 artworks by George Knapton
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18129 × 35 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$541102 × 127 cm Commission at original size

Admiral Sir John Norris, 1670/71-1749

1735 · original 127.0 x 101.5cm

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 10 of 30 artworks by George Knapton
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18129 × 35 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$541102 × 127 cm Commission at original size

The Family of Frederick, Prince of Wales

1751 · original 350.86 x 461.2cm

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 11 of 30 artworks by George Knapton
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$45636 × 28 cm Commission this artwork

Captain Richard Chadwick, d. 1748

1744 · original 125.7 x 100.3cm

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 12 of 30 artworks by George Knapton
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18129 × 35 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$532100 × 126 cm Commission at original size

Portrait Of A Lady Thought To Be Lady Mary Wortley Montagu )

1689

Admire George Knappton’s 1689 portrait of Lady Mary Wortley Montagu! Baroque realism, opulent detail & dramatic lighting capture a captivating moment. Explore this exquisite oil painting.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 13 of 30 artworks by George Knapton
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$20628 × 35 cm Commission this artwork

A Portrait of a Young Man

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 14 of 30 artworks by George Knapton
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18128 × 36 cm Commission this artwork

Portrait of Master Francis Barrell,

1750

Admire George Knapton’s 1750 portrait of Master Francis Barrell. A captivating 18th-century painting featuring a distinctive young man & tennis racket. Hand-painted reproduction available.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 15 of 30 artworks by George Knapton
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18129 × 35 cm Commission this artwork

Portrait of Frances Macartney, c.1745

Admire George Knapton’s 'Portrait of Frances Macartney,' a refined 18th-century oil painting showcasing classical elegance & dramatic chiaroscuro. A stunning piece for art collectors.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 16 of 30 artworks by George Knapton
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18128 × 36 cm Commission this artwork

The Second Earl Of Egmont And His Sisters

Admire 'The Second Earl Of Egmont & His Sisters' by George Knapton – a stunning 18th-century Rococo portrait. Hand-painted reproduction of this elegant artwork, perfect for art lovers.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 17 of 30 artworks by George Knapton
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18132 × 31 cm Commission this artwork

Portrait of the Hon. William Napier,

1735

Admire George Knapton’s 1735 portrait of William Napier – a refined British 18th-century oil painting showcasing elegant detail & formal style. Explore this timeless piece!

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 18 of 30 artworks by George Knapton
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18126 × 39 cm Commission this artwork

Portrait of General Sir Adolphus Oughton

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 19 of 30 artworks by George Knapton
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18130 × 33 cm Commission this artwork

Portrait of Frances Macartney

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 20 of 30 artworks by George Knapton
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18128 × 35 cm Commission this artwork

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Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 21 of 30 artworks by George Knapton
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18128 × 35 cm Commission this artwork

Portrait Of A Gentleman In Royal Mogul Costume,

1738

Admire George Knapton’s ‘Portrait of a Gentleman.’ A stunning 1738 Royal Mogul costume portrait – rich detail, historical elegance. Discover art history & acquire unique pieces.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 22 of 30 artworks by George Knapton
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18127 × 37 cm Commission this artwork

Robert d'Arcy 4th Earl of Holderness

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 23 of 30 artworks by George Knapton
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18134 × 30 cm Commission this artwork

Second earl egmont sisters la hi

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 24 of 30 artworks by George Knapton
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18133 × 30 cm Commission this artwork

A View of the Falls of Terni with Classical Figures

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 25 of 30 artworks by George Knapton
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18127 × 36 cm Commission this artwork

The artist

George Knapton

1698 – 1778

Quick facts

Museums on APSBirmingham Museum and Art Gallery, Yale Center for British Art, National Gallery of Art
Movementsneoclassicism
Top 3 worksPortrait of a Gentleman, A Graduate of Merton College, Oxford, Portrait of a Woman
Works on APS30
Art periodEarly Modern
Typical colorsespresso
Born1698, London, United Kingdom
NationalityUnited Kingdom

Biography

The Master of Elegance: The Life of George Knapton

In the vibrant landscape of eighteenth-century English art, few names evoke the refined grace of the Georgian era quite like George Knapton. Born in Christchurch, Hampshire, Knapton emerged as a distinguished portraitist whose brush possessed the unique ability to capture both the physical likeness and the social prestige of his subjects. His artistic journey began with a rigorous apprenticeship under Jonathan Richardson Snr., a foundation that instilled in him a profound respect for classical technique and anatomical precision. This early training was further enriched by his time at the St Martin's Lane Academy, where he immersed himself in the burgeoning artistic culture of London.

The soul of Knapton’s work, however, was truly shaped by his transformative travels through Italy. Between 1725 and 1732, his immersion in the Mediterranean landscape allowed him to study the Old Masters firsthand, developing a discerning eye that would later make him a respected judge of fine art. This period of exploration did more than just refine his skill; it infused his portraiture with a sophisticated understanding of light and composition, often characterized by a subtle chiaroscuro that lent his subjects a timeless, sculptural quality.

A Legacy of Royal and Social Distinction

Knapton’s ascent within the British art establishment was marked by prestigious appointments and high-profile commissions that placed him at the very heart of the nation's cultural life. As an original member and the first official portraitist for the Society of Dilettanti, he became the preferred chronicler of the era's most influential figures. His prolific output for the Society included a series of twenty-three oil portraits between 1741 and 1749, often depicting members in exotic or "fancy" dress, which allowed him to showcase his mastery of texture and costume.

His professional zenith was perhaps most clearly realized through his service to the Crown. Following a significant collaboration with George Vertue to catalogue the treasures within the Royal Collection, Knapton earned the esteemed position of Surveyor and Keeper of the King's Pictures, a role he held from 1765 until his death. This period saw him entrusted with some of the most monumental tasks in British art history, including the creation of his largest and perhaps most celebrated work, The Family of Frederick, Prince of Wales. Through such grand-scale group portraits, Knapton did not merely paint individuals; he documented the very fabric of royal lineage and historical continuity.

Technique and Artistic Contribution

While Knapton was a master of oils, his versatility extended into the delicate medium of pastel, allowing him to capture the softness of skin and the intricate details of lace with remarkable sensitivity. To achieve the breathtaking realism required for his high-society sitters, he often collaborated with specialists, such as the drapery painter Joseph Van Aken, whose expertise in rendering luxurious fabrics complemented Knapton’s ability to render human character. This synergy of talent resulted in portraits that were as much about the splendor of the era's fashion as they were about the dignity of the sitter.

The historical significance of George Knapton lies in his role as a bridge between the classical traditions of the early century and the burgeoning sophistication of the late Georgian period. His ability to blend the formal requirements of portraiture with an evocative, narrative elegance ensured that his works remained vital components of the Royal Collection and beyond. Even today, his portraits stand as windows into a lost world of aristocratic splendor, reminding us of a time when every brushstroke was an act of preserving history.

Questions & Answers

Where are George Knapton's artworks grouped by art movement?

George Knapton's works can be browsed by movement on the artist's All Movements page.

Where can I see the color profile of George Knapton's work?

George Knapton's use of color across the works listed on this website can be studied on the artist's Palette Genome page.

Where is George Knapton from?

George Knapton was born in United Kingdom.

By the WahooArt.com Editorial Team Updated Sept. 9, 2026

Collector's quiz

What was George Knapton's primary specialty in painting?
Under whom did George Knapton study art for five years?
Which organization appointed Knapton as its first portraitist in the 1740s?
In what year did Knapton become Surveyor and Keeper of the King's Pictures?
Which large-scale group portrait was commissioned in 1751?

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Rolled, stretched or framed, insured, with a certificate of authenticity.

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