Born in Lübeck, Germany, Kneller studied under Rembrandt and Ferdinand Bol in Amsterdam before moving to Italy and eventually settling in London in 1676. He quickly established himself as a dominant force in the British art scene, succeeding Peter Lely as the principal painter to the crown.

Kneller is best known for his prolific output of portraiture, which captured the likenesses of royalty, scientists, and the political elite of the Stuart and Georgian eras. His signature style is characterized by the development of the kit-cat portrait, a specific canvas size that allowed for the inclusion of a subject's hands, and his series of the Hampton Court Beauties.

His legacy remains central to the history of British portraiture, with his works frequently held in major national collections. He continues to be recognized as a pivotal figure in the transition of English painting toward the styles that defined the early 18th century.