Kneller’s backgrounds

Allen Bathurst, 1st Earl Bathurst, by Godfrey Kneller https://commons.m.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Godfrey-kneller-portrait-of-allen-bathurst.-1st-earl-bathurst.jpg

A member has sent in the following query regarding Kneller’s backgrounds, looking for thoughts and comments:

I am seeking to understand Kneller’s use of backgrounds in his portraits: were they realistic, symbolic or pure imagination? I am asking in reference to this portrait of the Earl Bathurst, then the Lord Bathurst.

I’m researching Chichester Park, his country seat, for a seminar and paper. I have a theory about the temple shown in the background but my research on Kneller has not yielded any explanations as to his intentions for the background…

Please use the comments area below to respond.