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Which English portrait painters continued Anthony van Dyck’s style after his death?
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Anthony van Dyck
Self-Portrait, oil on canvas by Anthony Van Dyck, c. 1620–21; in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City. 119.7 × 87.9 cm.
Following the death of Anthony van Dyck, his portraiture style exerted a pervasive and lasting influence on artists active in England. Several portraitists continued his manner, including:
- Sir Peter Lely: A prominent portraitist who arrived in England around 1641 and set the pattern for English portraiture during the second half of the 17th century.12
- Sir Godfrey Kneller: A German-born painter who succeeded Lely as the principal portraitist to the king and continued the trend of foreign-born practitioners dominating the English scene.132
- Native English painters: Several native artists also adopted van Dyck’s style following his death.1
- Thomas Gainsborough: A major 18th-century English portrait painter whose style was deeply indebted to van Dyck.1
While Lely and Kneller were the most direct successors in the 17th century, van Dyck’s influence remained a foundational element for later masters of the English school.124