Sir Godfrey Kneller

three-quarter length, standing, wearing a green velvet jacket with red silk shawl, a landscape beyond

By family descent until sold by direction of the Trustees of the Crewe Estate;
Crewe Estate sale; Christie's London, 9th December 1955, lot 87, bt. by O'Neill for 12gns; 
Anonymous sale, Sotheby's London, 24th November 1999, lot 22, bt. by the present owner

STRUCTURE The canvas has been lined. PAINT SURFACE The painting would appear to be good condition. There has been some abrasion to the paint surface overall and there are areas where the paint is quite thin. This is primarily restricted to the background areas, and to small sections in the costume. ULTRAVIOLET Examination under ultraviolet light reveals a discoloured residue overall and a slightly opaque layer of varnish. FRAME Held in a composite period style frame.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The sitter was the eldest son of John Offley of Madeley and his wife Anne, daughter and heiress of John Crewe of Crewe Hall, Cheshire. In 1707 he married Sarah, daughter of Morgan Price of Nantgwared, Breconshire and in 1709 changed his name to Crewe.

An active Tory M.P., he owned considerable estates, having inherited Madeley from his father in 1688, Crewe Hall from his mother and Tattenhall from his great uncle Sir John Crewe of Utkinton. He sat for Newcastle-under-Lyne in Parliament between 1703 and 1705, and twice for Cheshire from 1705 to 1710, and 1722 to 1727. By his death he had amassed a considerable fortune, leaving estates with an annual revenue of £15,000.