Who painted Portrait of John Locke?

Portrait of John Locke was painted by Sir Godfrey Kneller in 1699.

Where can I see Portrait of John Locke?

Portrait of John Locke is held by Hermitage Museum.

What movement is Portrait of John Locke?

Portrait of John Locke is associated with Flemish Baroque painting.

Can I buy a print of Portrait of John Locke?

Museum-quality prints of Portrait of John Locke are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Portrait of John Locke

Sir Godfrey Kneller , 1699

Portrait of John Locke is an oil painting by the Flemish Baroque painting artist Sir Godfrey Kneller. It dates from 1699 and is held in the collection of the Hermitage Museum. Created in 1697, this oil on canvas presents the English thinker John Locke as an elderly figure.

About this work

Overview

The portrait is significant as a representation of one of the leading English intellectuals of the era, captured during the final years of his life.

Portrait of John Locke is an oil on canvas painting created in 1697. The artwork depicts the English philosopher John Locke and is attributed to Godfrey Kneller, although some sources also associate John Smibert with the artist designation. Measuring 76 by 64 centimeters, the painting was executed in the United Kingdom. It is currently held in the Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg, Russia, where it is registered under the inventory number GE-1345. The portrait is significant as a representation of one of the leading English intellectuals of the era, captured during the final years of his life.

Subject & Meaning

The painting portrays John Locke at approximately 65 years of age, during a period when he had withdrawn from society to live on a country estate surrounded by a close circle of friends. The composition presents the sitter in a discreet and intimate manner. Locke is shown turned slightly to his right while engaging the viewer with a direct gaze. He wears a white collared shirt under a dark brown, open robe, with fabric draped across his chest. Despite the informality of the portrayal, the work conveys the gravity and significance of one of England's foremost intellectuals, balancing personal intimacy with a clear sense of the sitter's weight and importance.

Technique & Style

Executed in oil on canvas, the portrait employs a palette dominated by deep browns, warm ochres, and creamy whites. Light falls strongly from the left, illuminating Locke's face, shoulder-length gray hair, and white collar, while the right side of his face and body dissolve into the shadowed background. This dark, undefined background features a warm brown oval vignette that frames the figure. The brushwork is smooth and carefully blended in the flesh tones, contrasting with more visible texture in the drapery and background. A red number, 2709, is visible in the bottom right corner of the canvas.

History & Provenance

The painting was initially part of the collection of Robert Walpole at Houghton Hall. In 1779, Empress Catherine the Great learned of the sale of the Houghton Hall collection and purchased it in its entirety. This substantial acquisition, which also included works by Rubens, Van Dyck, and Rembrandt and was valued at an equivalent of 10 million modern dollars, brought the portrait to the Hermitage Museum, where it has since remained.

Context

Godfrey Kneller established a portrait gallery of the most important intellectual and artistic personalities of his time in England. The 1697 portrait of Locke fits within this broader project of documenting the prominent figures of the era. Another version of the portrait of Locke by Kneller, dated 1704, is considered the last portrait made of the philosopher during his lifetime and is currently located in the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, with a copy held in the National Portrait Gallery in London.