Portrait of Angelina Magdalena (c.1666-1736), second wife of 1st Viscount St. John Sir Godfrey Kneller (1646-1723)

The portrait presents a woman in three-quarter view, her gaze directed towards the viewer with a measured composure. She is positioned against a muted, indistinct background that allows for focus on her figure and attire. The artist has employed a restrained palette dominated by shades of green, cream, and brown, contributing to an overall sense of formality and dignity.
The woman’s hair is styled in elaborate curls, characteristic of the late 17th-century fashion, with tendrils cascading around her shoulders. A small crown appears above her head, inscribed with initials and a title, suggesting a connection to nobility or high social standing. The garment she wears is a flowing gown of deep green fabric, draped across her body in soft folds that emphasize the contours of her form. The neckline is low, revealing a glimpse of creamy-white undergarments, adding a subtle touch of elegance.
The lighting is carefully managed; it illuminates her face and upper torso, highlighting the smoothness of her skin and the delicate features of her countenance. Shadows are used to define the structure of her face and the folds in her clothing, creating depth and volume. The artist’s brushwork appears relatively smooth, indicative of a desire for realism while maintaining an air of refinement.
Subtleties within the portrait suggest layers of meaning beyond a simple likeness. The green gown could symbolize hope or fertility, common associations with the color during this period. Her direct gaze conveys confidence and perhaps a degree of self-awareness, challenging conventional depictions of female passivity. The crown, while seemingly decorative, implies an assertion of status and possibly a claim to influence within her social sphere. The overall impression is one of a woman who possesses both beauty and authority, carefully constructed through the visual language of portraiture to convey a specific narrative about her identity and position in society.