Russian Pictures, Works of Art and Icons

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Lot 1
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Circle of Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt., 1646 - 1723

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Description

  • Sir Godfrey Kneller
  • Portrait of Peter the Great
  • oil on canvas
  • 76.25 by 63.5cm., 30 by 25in.

Provenance

The collection of Count William Graham, first Scottish Ambassador to Russia;
By descent to Thomas Graham of Airth, Airth Castle, Stirlingshire;
Miss Alice Graham-Stirling;
By descent to George Boothby

Literature

S.Ernst, 'Portraits by Kneller in Russia', The Burlington Magazine, vol107, Nos. 742-753, Jan-Dec 1965, p.425-426

Catalogue Note

Kneller’s original full-length depiction of Peter the Great, currently in the Royal collection of the Queen, Kensington Palace, is one of the most iconic images of the Russian Tsar. It was painted for William III during Peter’s visit to England from January to April 1698, but it is believed Peter first sat for Kneller in Holland a year earlier for a three-quarter length portrait whose present whereabouts are unknown.