John Tillotson (1630-1694), Archbishop of Canterbury

studio of Sir Godfrey Kneller (Lübeck 1646/9 - London 1723). Oil painting on canvas, John Tillotson (1630-1694) Archbishop of Canterbury, studio of Sir Godfrey Kneller (Lübeck 1646/9 - London 1723), circa 1694. John Tillotson was a leading advocate of moderation and toleration. He was also the cleric chosen by William III to become Archbishop of Canterbury in 1691. His portrait was thus a natural choice for the great but Whiggish collection of portraits formed by the 1st and 2nd Earls of Hardwicke at Wimpole. Its size and the fact that it is monochrome suggests that it was the preparatory stage for one of the engravings of Kneller's life-size original of 1694 now at Eastnor Castle. Sold at Robinson and Fishers January 9th 1896. Restored to Wimpole in 1993. Wimpole, Cambridgeshire (Accredited Museum)