George I (1660–1727)

This portrait of George I reflects Kneller's role as the principal image-maker of the Hanoverian succession — his portraits of the new German dynasty providing the official visual identity of a monarchy whose English subjects were largely unfamiliar with their new ruler. George I, the Elector of Hanover who became King of Great Britain in 1714, never learned to speak English fluently and was generally unpopular with his subjects, but Kneller's portraits invested him with the regal gravity appropriate to a constitutional monarch. Kneller's technical mastery of state portraiture — grand drapery, armor, neutral backgrounds, dignified posture — served successive monarchs regardless of their personal qualities.

The royal portrait follows established conventions for depicting monarchical authority, with Kneller's studio producing multiple versions to distribute George I's image across government buildings and public institutions.