#kneller

Frances Legh of Bruch, Sir Godfrey Kneller, 1702

Once upon a time there was a crooked tree and a straight tree. And they grew next to each other. And every day the straight tree would look at the crooked tree and he would say, "You're crooked. You've always been crooked and you'll continue to be crooked. But look at me! Look at me!" said the straight tree. He said, "I'm tall and I'm straight." And then one day the lumberjacks came into the forest and looked around, and the manager in charge said, "Cut all the straight trees." And that crooked tree is still there to this day, growing strong and growing strange. (Wristcutters: A Love Story, 2006)

-Kneller (Wristcutters: A Love Story)

Sir Godffey Kneller — Sarah, Duchess of Marlborough. detail. 1646-1723

She married twice and had three children. Not much is known about her. She died aged 16, which I personally find quite sad.

Godfrey Kneller, Mrs Bridget Ottley (c. 1690)

Listen! if the stars are lit, then someone must need them, of course? then someone must want them to be there, calling those droplets of spittle pearls? And wheezing, in the blizzards of midday dust, he rushes to God, fearing he’s out of time and sobbing, he kisses God’s sinewy hands, tells Him that it’s important, pleads to Him that the star must shine! vowing that he won’t survive the starless torment! And later, he wanders, worried, though seemingly calm and fit, and tells somebody: “Finally, nothing can frighten you, right?!” Listen! if the stars are lit, then someone must really need them? then it is essential that at least one star alights over the rooftops each night?! 1914 By Vladimir Mayakovsky Translation by Andrey Kneller

Sarah Chuchill, Duchess of Marlborough, née Jennings  (1660-1744)  by Kneller