Portraits of members of the Kit Kat club

Sir Godfrey Kneller (1646 - 1723)

National Portrait Gallery

1702 - 1717

From a collection of 44 portraits of members of the Kit Cat club, Whig politicians and writers. They were painted at the instigation ofthe publisher Jacob Tonson (club secretary). Engraved in mezzotint by John Faber, 1731-4, and published in 1735. Works illustrated here include portraits of Godfrey Kneller (main portrait) and Jacob Tonson, the Secretary of the Kit Kat club. The remainder are on long term loan to Beningbrough Hall (NT).

• Medium: oil on canvas
• ArtFunded in: 1945
• Vendor: Clinton Baker

Provenance

They were designed to fit a special clubroom at Tonson's house at Barn Elms. Inherited by his nephew; his daughter Mary who married William Baker of Bayfordbury.

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