James Stanhope, Earl Stanhope Sir Godfrey Kneller (1646-1723)

The engraving presents a gentleman in a three-quarter pose, facing forward with a slight turn towards his left shoulder. He is depicted from the chest upwards, dominating the central vertical axis of the composition. The artist has rendered him with meticulous attention to detail, evident in the intricate rendering of his clothing and hair.
Here we see a man of considerable status; his attire suggests wealth and position. A dark, richly embroidered coat, fastened with decorative buttons, covers his torso. A crisp white cravat is secured at his neck, contrasting sharply with the darker tones of his jacket. The sleeves are wide and gathered, revealing a glimpse of what appears to be a waistcoat beneath.
His hair is styled in the elaborate fashion characteristic of the period – long, flowing curls cascade around his face and shoulders, framing a round visage. A carefully groomed mustache adds to the overall impression of cultivated refinement. His expression is serious, almost somber; he gazes directly at the viewer with an air of dignified composure.
The artist has employed hatching and cross-hatching techniques to create tonal variations and define form. The use of light and shadow suggests a three-dimensionality that enhances the realism of the portrait. A palpable sense of weight and texture is conveyed through the careful rendering of fabric folds and hair strands.
At the bottom of the image, beneath the figure, are inscriptions identifying him by name and title, accompanied by a heraldic crest – a visual marker of his noble lineage. The inclusion of this emblem reinforces the subjects elevated social standing and hereditary privilege.
The overall effect is one of restrained formality and understated authority. It’s not an image intended to convey exuberance or informality; rather, it aims to project a sense of gravitas and established power – a visual statement about his place within the hierarchical structure of society.