Background
Knapton was born in Christchurch, Hampshire, the son of William Knapton Esquire of Brockenhurst, Hampshire.
Knapton was born in Christchurch, Hampshire, the son of William Knapton Esquire of Brockenhurst, Hampshire.
He studied art under Jonathan Richardson, then at the Saint Martin"s Lane Academy.
He became Surveyor and Keeper of the King"s Pictures from 1765-1778. He spent some years in Italy where he became known as a sound judge of the works of the Old Masters. An account of his visit to Herculaneum was published in the "Philosophical Transactions" of 1740 (no 458).
Knapton resigned his position at the society in 1763.
In 1750, the then Prince of Wales commissioned Knapton, together with George Vertue, to produce a catalogue of the pictures at Kensington Palace, Hampton Court and Windsor castle. In 1765, he succeeded Stephen Slaughter as Surveyor and Keeper of the King"s Pictures.
He was also in charge of Lord Spencer"s collection at Althorp, Northamptonshire. Knapton"s largest painting was that of the widowed Princess of Wales and her family (1751).
James was born in 1701 in Christchurch, Hampshire.
John and Paul Knapton succeeded to and extended their father"s business. Knapton died in Kensington in December 1778 and was buried there on the 28th of that same month. Knapton"s brother, Charles Knapton, born in Christchurch, Hampshire (1700–1760), was also an artist and, together with Arthur Pond (1705?-1758), published a book Imitations of the Italian Masters (1735), which contained many engravings by himself, mainly of works by Guercino.
Knapton was an original member of the "Society of Dilettanti" and their first portrait artist. He painted many members of the society - mostly in fancy dress - including the Duke of Dorset, Viscount Galway, Sir Francis Dashwood, the Earl of Holdernesse, Earl of Bessborough and Sir Bourchier Wray.