George Knapton facts for kids
George Knapton (1698–1778) was an English artist who painted portraits. He was the very first portrait painter for a special group called the Society of Dilettanti in the 1740s. Later in his life, from 1765 to 1778, he became the official "Surveyor and Keeper of the King's Pictures." This meant he was in charge of looking after all the King's art!
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A Life in Art
George Knapton was born in Christchurch, Hampshire, England. His father was William Knapton. George learned how to paint by studying with a famous artist named Jonathan Richardson. He also attended the St Martin's Lane Academy.
Travels and Discoveries
Knapton spent several years traveling in Italy. While there, he became very good at judging and understanding the works of famous old painters, known as the Old Masters. He even wrote about his visit to Herculaneum, an ancient Roman city buried by a volcano. His report was published in a science paper in 1740.
Painting for the Society of Dilettanti
George Knapton was one of the first members of the "Society of Dilettanti." This was a group of wealthy English gentlemen who loved art and ancient Greek and Roman culture. Knapton became their main portrait artist. He painted many members of the society. Often, he would paint them wearing special, fancy costumes!
Some of the important people he painted for the society included:
- The Duke of Dorset
- Viscount Galway
- Sir Francis Dashwood
- The Earl of Holdernesse
- Earl of Bessborough
- Sir Bourchier Wray
Knapton stopped working for the society in 1763.
Royal Art Keeper
In 1750, the Prince of Wales (who later became King George III) asked Knapton to help create a list of all the paintings at Kensington Palace, Hampton Court, and Windsor Castle. This was a very important job!
Then, in 1765, Knapton became the official "Surveyor and Keeper of the King's Pictures." This meant he was responsible for the entire royal art collection. He also managed the art collection for Lord Spencer at his home in Althorp, Northamptonshire.
Famous Paintings
One of Knapton's biggest and most famous paintings is called The Family of Frederick, Prince of Wales. He finished this large artwork in 1751, and it is now part of the Royal Collection.
He also painted many other important people, such as:
- The Earl of Upper Ossory (with his brother and sister)
- The Earl of Burlington
- Admiral Sir John Norris
- Francis, Fifth Duke of Leeds
- Admiral George Vandeput
- Archibald Bower
- Nicolas Tindal
- Hildebrand Jacob
- Admiral Edward Hawke
- Singers like Carestini and Lisabetta du Parc
For his portraits, Knapton sometimes got help from another artist named Joseph Van Aken. Van Aken was a specialist who would paint the clothes and costumes of the people in Knapton's portraits.
Family Business
George Knapton also helped his brothers, John and Paul. They had taken over their father's book publishing business in London and made it even bigger. George helped them with several books, including works by Thomas Birch and a history book called The History of England by Nicolas Tindal and Paul de Rapin.
George Knapton passed away in Kensington in December 1778. He was buried there on December 28th of that year.
His Brother, Charles Knapton
George had a brother named Charles Knapton (1700–1760), who was also an artist. Charles was born in Christchurch, Hampshire, just like George. Charles worked with another artist, Arthur Pond, to publish a book called Imitations of the Italian Masters in 1735. This book included many of Charles's own engravings, especially copies of artworks by the Italian master Guercino.
