Portrait of John Robinson of Denston Hall, Suffolk c.1700; Circle of Sir Godfrey Kneller

Oil on canvas in 18th century frame.
John Robinson married Frances Bromsal, and this is one of the portraits of the Robinson family bought back by Algernon Dunn Gardner from Augutus Benyon, whose mother has rented Denston Hall and bought furniture and pictures from Henrietta (Harriet) Pigott, the then owner of the estate, whose mother had been a Robinson.
Denston Hall in Suffolk was the estate which for centuries belonged to the Robinson family.
Having descended through various branches of the family the different estates became invested in Algernon Dunn Gardner in the early 20th century. Connected to the Robinson family by marriage, Dunn Gardner kept this portrait on the walls of Denston until it was removed by his daughter when the property was sold 30 years ago. It was then kept in storage until now.

SIR GODFREY KNELLER (1646-1723) was the most distinguished painter of baroque portraits in England.
Born in Lubeck, he trained with Bol and Rembrandt, coming to London in 1676.
By 1679 he had painted the King and remained the most famous and successful portrait painter in England until his death.
In 1688 he was made Principal Painter to the King and was knighted in 1692 and a made a baronet in 1715.
His style had a profound influence on British portraiture and a large number of artists, many very talented in their own right, emulated his fashionable style.


SIZE: 36.75inch framed height 32.00inch framed width
PROVENANCE:By descent at Denston Hall and then to Dunn Gardner in 1908 thence by descent.
VERSO:much handwritten information.