Sir Godfrey Kneller

Elijah and the Angel

1672

Image released under Creative Commons CC-BY-NC-ND (3.0 Unported)

License this image

Not on display
Artist
Sir Godfrey Kneller 1646–1723
Medium
Oil paint on canvas
Dimensions
Support: 1765 x 1486 mm
frame: 2174 x 1900 x 150 mm
Collection
Tate
Acquisition
Purchased 1954
Reference
N06222

Display caption

Born in Germany, Kneller trained in Amsterdam and settled permanently in England in 1676 where he became the leading portrait painter of his day. This rare example of a narrative painting by Kneller is very Dutch in manner and subject. He valued it enough to bring it to Britain and display it at his house at Whitton, Middlesex. It depicts the Old Testament prophet Elijah who fled into the wilderness to escape the vengeance of Queen Jezebel. Hungry, he fell asleep and was woken by an angel who showed him bread and water sent by God to save him from starvation.

Gallery label, February 2016

Does this text contain inaccurate information or language that you feel we should improve or change? We would like to hear from you.

Netherlands-trained, working in Britain

Features

Sir Godfrey Kneller, ‘Elijah and the Angel’ 1672

Elijah and the Angel 1672: By Godfrey Kneller

Rica Jones and Joyce H. Townsend

Read technical information about this painting resulting from examination and scientific analysis by conservators and conservation scientists at Tate

Explore

You might like

Sir Godfrey Kneller, ‘Portrait of John Banckes’ 1676

Sir Godfrey Kneller Portrait of John Banckes

1676
On display at Tate Britain part of Walk Through British Art T05019
Sir Godfrey Kneller, ‘Philip, 4th Lord Wharton’ 1685

Sir Godfrey Kneller Philip, 4th Lord Wharton

1685
T12029
Sir Godfrey Kneller, ‘The First Marquess of Tweeddale’ 1695

Sir Godfrey Kneller The First Marquess of Tweeddale

1695
N03272
Sir Godfrey Kneller, ‘John Smith the Engraver’ 1696

Sir Godfrey Kneller John Smith the Engraver

1696
N00273
Sir Peter Lely, ‘Girl with a Parrot’ c.1670

Sir Peter Lely Girl with a Parrot

c.1670
N01016
Sir Peter Lely, ‘Portrait of an Unknown Woman’ c.1670–5

Sir Peter Lely Portrait of an Unknown Woman

c.1670–5
T00755
Sir Peter Lely, ‘Two Ladies of the Lake Family’ c.1660

Sir Peter Lely Two Ladies of the Lake Family

c.1660
On display at Tate Britain part of Walk Through British Art T00058
Sir Peter Lely, ‘Frans Mercurius van Helmont’ 1670–1

Sir Peter Lely Frans Mercurius van Helmont

1670–1
N03583
Sir Peter Lely, ‘Susanna and the Elders’ c.1650–5

Sir Peter Lely Susanna and the Elders

c.1650–5
On display at Tate Britain part of Walk Through British Art T00452
Sir Peter Lely, ‘Elizabeth, Countess of Kildare’ c.1679

Sir Peter Lely Elizabeth, Countess of Kildare

c.1679
On display at Tate Britain part of Walk Through British Art T00070
Jacob Huysmans, ‘Portrait of a Lady, as Diana’ ?c.1674

Jacob Huysmans Portrait of a Lady, as Diana

?c.1674
T00901
Jan Siberechts, ‘Landscape with Rainbow, Henley-on-Thames’ c.1690

Jan Siberechts Landscape with Rainbow, Henley-on-Thames

c.1690
T00899
Gilbert Soest, ‘Henry Howard, 6th Duke of Norfolk’ c.1670–5

Gilbert Soest Henry Howard, 6th Duke of Norfolk

c.1670–5
T00746
Gilbert Soest, ‘Portrait of a Gentleman with a Dog, Probably Sir Thomas Tipping’ c.1660

Gilbert Soest Portrait of a Gentleman with a Dog, Probably Sir Thomas Tipping

c.1660
T04162
Sir Peter Lely, ‘Boy Playing a Jew’s Harp’ c.1648

Sir Peter Lely Boy Playing a Jew’s Harp

c.1648
T00884