Portrait of Queen Anne (1665-1714)

Date1702-1714

After work by Sir Godfrey Kneller (1646-1723)

MediumOil on canvas

DimensionsUnframed: 50 x 40in. and Framed: 57 1/8 x 47 1/8in.

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1935-298

DescriptionA three-quarter length portrait of a seated woman wearing ermine-trimmed blue robes, her proper left hand grasping the orb of state. Her gown is gold-colored. Two putti or winged cherubs appear (somewhat dimly) at the back posts of her throne. She is turned slightly to the viewer's right, her face turned slightly to the viewer's left.

The 4-inch carved and gilded (now overpainted) frame on this painting (9/10/2008) is a colonial revival (early 20th century) example whose source is uncertain, as is the date at which it was placed on the painting. See "Curatorial Remarks."
Label TextQueen Anne succeeded her brother-in-law, William III, and her sister, Mary, as ruler in 1702. With her ardent support, the Acts of Union were passed in 1707, joining England and Scotland as a single kingdom, Great Britain. Anne was the last of the Stuart rulers since her son, William, Duke of Gloucester, died in childhood.

While the painter of this work has not been identified, the composition derives from one of Sir Godfrey Kneller’s two official portraits of the queen. Kneller served as the royal Principal Painter in Ordinary from 1689 until 1723. He painted all of the British monarchs from Charles II through George I.

What’s the Connection?
For most of Anne’s reign, British and French colonists in North America were at war over land claims. This conflict was a part of the War of Spanish Succession, which became known as Queen Anne’s War.

ProvenanceCWF's vendor, Frank Partridge of London and New York City, acquired this portrait at a Sotheby's sale of the effects of Sir Timothy Eden 26 July 1933 (lot no. 8). Research into the Eden family suggests that Sir Timothy was a direct descendant of the 5th Lord Baltimore, Charles Eden (1699-1751) and that Charles Eden was the great-grandson of King Charles II and mistress Barbara Villiers. King Charles II was the uncle to Queen Anne.