Mr. William Congreve

Date1710

After work by Sir Godfrey Kneller (1646-1723)

Engraver John Smith (ca. 1652 - ca. 1742)

OriginEngland, London

MediumMezzotint engraving and line engraving

DimensionsOverall: 14 7/16 × 10 3/4in. (36.7 × 27.3cm) Other (Plate): 13 5/8 × 9 15/16in. (34.6 × 25.2cm)

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1936-731

DescriptionLower margin reads: "M.r William Congreve./ G. Kneller S.R. Imp et Angl. Eques Aux Pinx./ J. Smith fec. et ex. 1710."

Label TextPlaywright William Congreve’s (1670-1729) early work earned him acclaim. His career took a turn after his plays came under attack for being immoral as tastes and political tides changed. By the time Congreve’s portrait was painted, he had left the theater and entered politics. He was a member of the elite Kit-Cat Club, an club of Whig-supporters (pro-Glorious Revolution and Protestant Succession) whose members were some of the most influential men from the aristocracy, the arts, and politics.

Full-headed portrait directed to the the right, facing towards and looking to the front. He wears a long wig, collar open, right hand raised. There are trees in the the distance. Congreve's plays were performed in America and his picture was imported into the colonies.
ProvenanceBefore 1936, Robert Dunthorne & Son Limited (London, England); 1936-present, purchased by The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation (Williamsburg, VA).