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Old Masters Portrait Paintings

OLD MASTERS

Encompassing centuries of change in Europe between 1300 and 1800, from booms of prosperity to bloody revolutions, Old Masters describes a wide range of artists. The informal term was derived from the title of an artist who trained in a guild long enough to become a master, such as Leonardo da Vinci, who studied in a Florence painters’ guild. However, Old Masters paintings, prints and other art is now used to refer to work made by any artist with a high level of skill in painting, drawing, sculpture or printmaking who worked during this era.

The 15th century’s expansive trade and commerce spread culture across borders. A vibrant period of art emerged, bolstered by studies of anatomy and nature that influenced a new visual realism. From Raphael and Michelangelo in the Renaissance to Rembrandt van Rijn and Johannes Vermeer in the Dutch Golden Age, artists expressed emotion, naturalism, color and light in new ways. El Greco and Paolo Veronese were leaders in the dramatic style of Mannerism, while Caravaggio and Peter Paul Rubens demonstrated the movement and meticulous detail of Baroque art.

Historically, most attention was concentrated on male artists, but recent research and exhibitions have elevated the impactful work of women such as Rachel Ruysch and Artemisia Gentileschi. In late-18th-century France, female artists like Adélaïde Labille-Guiard and Élisabeth Vigée Le Brun were prominent names. Nevertheless, access to the academies and guilds was highly restricted for women, and even those able to establish practices were expected to adhere to portraits and still lifes rather than the grand history paintings being created by men.

Find a collection of Old Masters prints, paintings, drawings and watercolors and other art on 1stDibs.

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Style: Old Masters
English 18th century portrait of Henrietta Pelham-Holles, Duchess of Newcastle.
Located in Bath, Somerset
Portrait of Henrietta Pelham-Holles (née Godolphin) (1701-1776), Duchess of Newcastle, standing in a wooded landscape with a river beyond, three-quarter length wearing an ivory silk ...
Category

1720s Old Masters Portrait Paintings

Materials

Oil, Canvas

17th century Flemish old master painting - Adoration of the Shepherds Christmas
Located in Antwerp, BE
17th century Flemish Old master painting "Adoration of the Shepherds" by Victor Wolfvoet the Younger Surrounded by an elegant and broad black frame, i...
Category

17th Century Old Masters Portrait Paintings

Materials

Copper

Very Large Antique English Oil Painting Portrait of Clerical Gentleman in Robes
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
The Clerical Gentleman English School, early 1800's period oil on canvas, framed framed: 41.5 x 34 inches canvas: 36 x 28.5 inches provenance: private collection, England condition: ...
Category

Early 19th Century Old Masters Portrait Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Confortini Mary Madonna Angels Paint Oil on canvas Old master 17th Century Italy
Located in Riva del Garda, IT
Jacopo Confortini (Florence 1602-1672) Madonna and Child with Two Angels Oil on canvas 80 x 60 cm./Framed 101 x 81 cm. The proposed painting, datable to around the middle of the 17th century, depicts the Virgin enveloped in a golden glow and reclining on a throne of fluffy clouds, while lovingly supporting the Child on her lap, with two adoring angels...
Category

17th Century Old Masters Portrait Paintings

Materials

Oil

Fine 17th Century Dutch Oil Painting on Wood Panel Horse & Figures Resting
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
The Resting Place Dutch School, mid 17th century oil painting on board, unframed canvas: 7 x 9 inches provenance: private collection condition: very good and sound condition
Category

17th Century Old Masters Portrait Paintings

Materials

Oil

Madonna Maria Piola Paint Oil on canvas 17/18th Century Old master Religious
Located in Riva del Garda, IT
Anton Maria Piola (Genoa, 1654 - 1715) circle Madonna and Child Genoese school of the second half of the 17th century Oil on canvas 93 x 74 cm.- In antique frame 110 x 92 cm. (Work with expertise by Dr. Arabella Cifani) In the pleasing work proposed, depicting a classical Nativity scene, the Madonna is immortalised in adoration as she gently holds the sheet on which the Child is lying, with a gesture of protection and pride that facilitates an atmosphere of intimate recollection, in addition to the presence of three cherubs at the top. The stylistic analysis of the canvas can easily be traced back to a painter of the Genoese school and active during the 17th century, specifically with the devotional works from the workshop of Domenico Piola (Genoa, 1627-1703), an absolute protagonist of Genoese Baroque culture. Piola was the owner of the most important city painting workshop of the time, known as 'Casa Piola', where his sons Paolo Gerolamo and Anton Maria also collaborated. His production, which specialised in a type of highly decorative, profane and allegorical paintings, destined for the decoration of Genoese patrician palaces, also included a refined series of works of a religious nature. In particular, the style of our beautiful breast painting...
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17th Century Old Masters Portrait Paintings

Materials

Oil

Portrait of Gentleman, Thomas Bruce, Earl of Elgin c.1638 Manor House Provenance
Located in London, GB
Titan Fine Art present this picture which formed part of a historic collection of an English aristocratic family, Lord and Lady Sandys at their magnificent baroque and Regency Grade-...
Category

17th Century Old Masters Portrait Paintings

Materials

Oil, Wood Panel

Portrait of a Lady Diana Cecil, Countess of Elgin c.1638, Manor House Provenance
Located in London, GB
Titan Fine Art present this picture which formed part of a historic collection of an English aristocratic family, Lord and Lady Sandys at their magnificent baroque and Regency Grade-...
Category

17th Century Old Masters Portrait Paintings

Materials

Oil, Wood Panel

Portrait of Lady Anne Tipping née Cheke c.1705, English Aristocratic Collection
Located in London, GB
Titan Fine Art present this exquisite portrait, that formed part of a historic collection of an English aristocratic family, Lord and Lady Sandys at their magnificent baroque and Reg...
Category

18th Century Old Masters Portrait Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Large 17th century Flemish old master painting - Diana and Callisto - Rubens
Located in Antwerp, BE
17th century Flemish Old master painting "Diana and Callisto" attributed to Victor Wolfvoet the Younger Our painting is based on Rubens' great work of...
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17th Century Old Masters Portrait Paintings

Materials

Copper

17th century German portrait of a man - Wine merchant Caspar Roemerskirchen 1628
Located in Antwerp, BE
17th century German portrait of the wine merchant Caspar Roemerskirchen at the age of 26 in 1628, attributed to Gottfried de Wedig This highly decorative portrait depicts the 26 yea...
Category

17th Century Old Masters Portrait Paintings

Materials

Oil, Wood

King Charles 1st Antique Oil Painting Portrait of Famous British Monarch
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
King Charles I British artist, early 20th century signed with initials oil on canvas, framed framed: 36 x 29 inches canvas: 32 x 26 inches provenance: private collection, UK conditio...
Category

Early 1900s Old Masters Portrait Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Portrait of a Gentleman in Scarlet Robe Holding Flowers c.1675, Oil on canvas
Located in London, GB
Titan Fine Art present this striking portrait, which was painted by one of the most talented artists working in England during the last half of the 17th century, John Greenhill. Gre...
Category

17th Century Old Masters Portrait Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Christ Salvator Mundi Paint Oil on copper 16/17th Century Flemish school
Located in Riva del Garda, IT
Antique painting depicting the Face of Christ as Salvator Mundi Flemish painter, 16th-17th century Oil on copper 22 x 18 cm./ framed 42 x ...
Category

16th Century Old Masters Portrait Paintings

Materials

Oil

Adoration Shepherds Von Achen Paint oil on canvas 17th Century Old master Art
Located in Riva del Garda, IT
Hans (or Johann) von Achen (Cologne 1552 - Prague 1615) workshop Adoration of the Shepherds Oil on canvas 112 x 90 cm./ Framed 125 x 102 cm. The painting that we are happy to prese...
Category

17th Century Old Masters Portrait Paintings

Materials

Oil

Portrait of a Gentleman in Armour and Holding a Baton, Manor House Provenence
Located in London, GB
Titan Fine Art present this accomplished work, from Kilcooley Abbey, Co Tipperary, Ireland. It portrays a gentleman traditionally known as the English military commander and politic...
Category

17th Century Old Masters Portrait Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Man in Tavern Smoking a Pipe /// Old Masters Dutch David Teniers Portrait Face
Located in Saint Augustine, FL
Artist: Unknown (Circle of David Teniers the Younger, Flemish, 1610-1690) Title: "Man in Tavern Smoking a Pipe" *No signature found Circa: 1690 Medium: Original Oil Painting on Wooden Board Framing: Framed in an antique gold gesso frame...
Category

1690s Old Masters Portrait Paintings

Materials

Gold Leaf

Portrait Knight Paint Oil on canvas 17th Century Lombard school Old master Italy
Located in Riva del Garda, IT
Lombard painter of the 17th century Portrait of a Knight in Armour Oil on canvas 81 x 70 cm./ Framed 93 x 82 A handsome gentleman in armour, immortalised in an authoritative and pr...
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17th Century Old Masters Portrait Paintings

Materials

Oil

Cupid Portrait Parmigianino Paint 17/18th Century Oil on canvas Old master Italy
Located in Riva del Garda, IT
Follower of FRANCESCO MAZZOLA, known as IL PARMIGIANINO (Parma, 1503 - Casalmaggiore, 1540) Cupid Carving His Bow (as the triumph of love and desire over reason and knowledge) Oil o...
Category

18th Century Old Masters Portrait Paintings

Materials

Oil

Fine 17th Century Italian Old Master Oval Portrait of Lady on Copper Wooden Frm
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Portrait of a Lady (female saint?) Italian School, 17th century oil on copper, framed frame: 9 x 8 inches board: 5 x 4 inches provenance: private collection condition: very good and ...
Category

17th Century Old Masters Portrait Paintings

Materials

Oil

Original Study of Rembrandt’s Portrait of an Old Woman
Located in Soquel, CA
Early 20th Century Study of Rembrandt’s Portrait of Old Woman Russian for Niello Engraving A wonderful study of Rembrandt’s portrait of an Old Woman used for Niello engraving by Ru...
Category

Early 20th Century Old Masters Portrait Paintings

Materials

Ink, Paper

18th century painting of the Dalbiac family in the gardens of a country house
By Charles Philips
Located in Bath, Somerset
The painting depicts James (Jacques) Dalbiac, his wife Louise (ne de la Porte) and their five children, James, Charles, Louise, Marianne and Martha in the ornamental gardens of a grand country estate. The extensive gardens extend into the distance with gardeners working in the background and figures strolling through the avenues of trees. A peacock and peahen can be seen on the wall to the left and a potted orange tree to the right. Louise Dalbiac holds an orange taken from the orange tree, aluding to the family's faith and their loyalty to the protestant King William of Orange and their adopted country. The Dalbiacs were wealthy London silk and velvet merchants of French Huguenot origin who had fled France at the end of the 17th century to escape persecution for their protestant faith. England offered safe refuge and their skills and industriousness allowed them to establish one of the most successful businesses in London's Spitalfields which became a new centre of the silk trade, effectively leading to the collapse of the once dominant French silk industry. Both sons, James and Charles followed their father and Uncle into the family business, successfully growing the family's fortune and each going on to own their own country estates. A conversation piece is a genre of painting used to describe group portraits of families and friends, often depicted with their servants and family pets and set within an elegantly furnished interior or the garden of a grand country house. They were a celebration of the intimacy of family relations as well as a sign of status, property and the power of succession. The informality of conversation pieces grew popular in 18th century England, allowing the sitters to present themselves in a more relaxed pose, perhaps engaged in intellectual conversation or showing their talents or interests. In this present portrait, the Dalbiacs are shown richly dressed and and at leisure in a grand country house setting, conveying their success and cultural and social aspirations. Charles Philips (c.1703–1747) was an English artist known for painting a number of portraits and conversation pieces for noble and Royal patrons in the mid-eighteenth century. He was the son of portrait painter Richard Philips...
Category

Early 18th Century Old Masters Portrait Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

French School, 17th Century, 'Portrait of the Marquise de Grugieres', oil canvas
Located in Petworth, West Sussex
French school, 17th Century Portrait of the Marquise de Grugieres Oil on canvas 26.1/4 x 21.5/8 in. (66.7 x 54.8 cm.) In a gilded composite frame, later production (possible early 1...
Category

17th Century Old Masters Portrait Paintings

Materials

Oil, Canvas

Huge 18th Century English Oil Aristocratic Portrait of a Gentleman Standing
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Portrait of an Aristocratic Gentleman British artist, first half 18th century oil on canvas, unframed canvas: 50 x 40 inches provenance: private collection, Dorset, England condition...
Category

18th Century Old Masters Portrait Paintings

Materials

Oil, Canvas

The Penitent Magdalene - Italian Baroque Old Master art portrait oil painting
Located in London, GB
This stunning Italian Baroque Old Master portrait oil painting is attributed to the circle of Guercino, Giovanni Francesco Barbieri (1591 - 1666) and it is ascribed verso. The paint...
Category

17th Century Old Masters Portrait Paintings

Materials

Oil

Perroneau Portrait Lady Woman Paint Oil on canvas 18th Century Old master French
Located in Riva del Garda, IT
Jean-Baptiste Perroneau (Paris, 1715 – Amsterdam, 1783) Portrait of a lady Oil on oval canvas 60 x 50 cm. - In frame 77 x 66 cm. Work accompanied by expertise: Raffaelle Colace (Cremona), Ferdinando Arisi Reference bibliography: d’Arnoult, Dominique (2014) Jean-Baptiste Perronneau, c 1715-1783, un portraitiste dans l’Europe des Lumières Excerpt from the expertise of Dr. Colace: This refined portrait of a lady is a perfect example of the style of Jean-Baptiste Perroneau, a very talented French painter, whose most beautiful works are located, just like this one, between the fifth and sixth decades of the eighteenth century. "Perroneaeu is more naturally colored than La Tour, the est, in the peinture de poussière colorée, tout plein de tons clairs, frais, presque humides": this is how his brothers wrote about him in La Maison d...
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18th Century Old Masters Portrait Paintings

Materials

Oil

Portrait of a Gentleman - British 18th Century Old Master art oil painting
By Lemuel Francis Abbott
Located in London, GB
This superb British Old Master portrait is by noted artist Lemuel Francis Abbott. Painted circa 1790, the composition is a half-length standing portrait of a gentleman gazing to his ...
Category

1790s Old Masters Portrait Paintings

Materials

Oil

French school late 18th Century, Portrait of a young man, oil on metal
Located in Paris, FR
French school late 18th Century Portrait of a young man oil on metal 10.2 x 7.7 cm Framed under glass : 24.4 x 21.8 cm This small portrait painting, quite original in its technique...
Category

Late 18th Century Old Masters Portrait Paintings

Materials

Oil

Portrait of a Lady by Fountain in Landscape - Dutch Old Master art oil painting
Located in London, GB
This superb Dutch Old Master portrait oil painting is attributed to circle of Nicolaes Maes. Painted circa 1670, the painting is of a lady, sat by a classical fountain with statue an...
Category

1670s Old Masters Portrait Paintings

Materials

Oil

Fine Italian Old Master Oil Painting Angel & Saints Appearing to Figures
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Artist/ School: Italian Old Master, 18th century Title: Angel and Saints appearing to figures, one dressed in a white ruff collar. Medium: oil on canvas...
Category

Early 18th Century Old Masters Portrait Paintings

Materials

Oil, Canvas

18th Century English School Portrait of a handsome young gentleman, half length
By Sir William Beechey
Located in Harkstead, GB
A very skilfully captured portrait of a handsome young gentleman. The painter, in the circle of Sir Willliam Beechey, has imparted great character and vitality to the sitter, giving ...
Category

18th Century Old Masters Portrait Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Terwesten Woman Allegory Art Paint Oil on canvas 17/18th Century Old master
Located in Riva del Garda, IT
Mattheus Terwesten (The Hague, 1670 - 1757) Portrait of a young woman with palette and brushes, as Allegory of the art of Painting Oil on canvas 160 x 91 cm. - In frame 178 x 107 cm...
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17th Century Old Masters Portrait Paintings

Materials

Oil

Young Girl after Sir Thomas Lawrence, Regency portrait painting
Located in Brecon, Powys
Charming work in the Regency style, mid 19th Century after Sir Thomas Lawrence. High quality painting. Old Christie's Stencil to verso. Would grace any home, suitable for contempor...
Category

Mid-19th Century Old Masters Portrait Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Large 1700's Italian Oil Painting on Canvas Portrait of a Clerical Gentleman
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Portrait of a Clerical Gentleman Italian artist, mid 18th century Circle of Giovanni Battista Carboni (1725-1790) oil on canvas, unframed canvas: 26 x 22 inches provenance: private c...
Category

Mid-18th Century Old Masters Portrait Paintings

Materials

Oil, Canvas

17th Century French School, Saint John the Baptist, oil on copper
Located in Paris, FR
17th Century French School Saint John the Baptist in a landscape oil on copper 17 x 11.5 cm In good condition except very small loss of painting in the lower left part In a modern f...
Category

1680s Old Masters Portrait Paintings

Materials

Oil

Resurrection Christ Tiziano 16/17th Century paint Oil on canvas Old master Italy
By Tiziano Vecellio (Pieve di Cadore 1490 - Venice 1576)
Located in Riva del Garda, IT
The Resurrection of Christ Follower of Tiziano Vecellio (Pieve di Cadore 1490 - Venice 1576)   Venetian school of the late 16th/early 17th century Oil on canvas 108 x 78 cm. - Frame...
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17th Century Old Masters Portrait Paintings

Materials

Oil

GEORGE ROMNEY(after)19th century portrait The Hon.Reverend Anchitel Grey as a Bo
Located in York, GB
A fine painting after George Romney of The Hon.Reverend Anchitel Grey (1774 – 1833) as a Boy The painting depicts a boy aged about ten, standing, turned to the left, gazing at the spectator, wearing a blue coat, and white linen collar, a spaniel with its paws on his chest. Shoulder length brown hair. Trees in the background on the right, distant horizon with cloudy sky on the left. The sitter was the third son of George Harry Grey, 5th Earl of Stamford (1765-1845) and Lady Henrietta Cavendish-Bentinck (died 4th June 1827), daughter of the 2nd Duke of Portland...
Category

19th Century Old Masters Portrait Paintings

Materials

Oil

17th century Old Master Portrait of Queen Catherine of Braganza
By Jacob Huysmans
Located in Antwerp, BE
Very fine old master Portrait painting of Queen Catherine of Braganza as Saint Catherine attributed to Jacob Huysmans and studio Catherine of Braganza...
Category

17th Century Old Masters Portrait Paintings

Materials

Oil, Canvas

17th century portrait of a lady seated in an interior
Located in Bath, Somerset
Portrait of a lady, believed to be Henrietta Hyde (née Boyle), Countess of Rochester, (1646-1687) three quarter length, wearing an amber coloured silk gown, with an embroidered blue mantle, seated in an interior. Oil on canvas in a ‘Lely’ frame with the Hornby Castle inventory number 60 attached on the reverse. Provenance: By descent through the Dukes of Leeds, Hornby Castle, Yorkshire; Christie's, London - The Property of the 10th Duke of Leeds Will Trust, 30th October, 2014, Lot 106. Private collection Guernsey. Hornby Castle, Catalogue of Pictures, London, 1898, p. 5, no.60. Historical and descriptive catalogue of pictures belonging to His Grace The Duke of Leeds, London, 1902, p. 24, no. 60. Henrietta was born in Wiltshire, to Sir Richard Boyle, 2nd Earl of Cork and Elizabeth Boyle, Countess of Cork. In 1665, she married Laurence Hyde, 1st Earl of Rochester, son of Edward Hyde, 1st Earl of Clarendon and Frances Aylesbury. They had four children. As sister-in-law of Anne Hyde, the Duchess of York she was appointed as governess to her daughter, Princess Anne (the future Queen) between 1677 and 1682. Like most of the Boyle dynasty, who in the space of two generations had become almost all-powerful in the south of Ireland, Henrietta was strong-minded and acquisitive, and could be ruthless in asserting her rights. During the last two years of her life, when her husband was Chief Minister to his brother-in-law King James II...
Category

17th Century Old Masters Portrait Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Manner of Guido Reni (1575-1642) The Prophecy of Simeon Large Antique Painting
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Artist/ School: Manner of Guido Reni (1575-1642) Italian Title: The Prophecy of Simeon Medium: oil painting on canvas, unframed Painting: 21.5 ...
Category

Mid-18th Century Old Masters Portrait Paintings

Materials

Oil

"Caterina d'Alexandria (Saint Catherine of Alexandria)" classical religious
By (After) Giampietrino
Located in Milwaukee, WI
"Caterina d'Alexandria (Saint Catherine of Alexandria)" is an original oil painting on wood panel, likely painted by Italian artist Giampietrino (Giovanni Pietro Rizzoli). The painti...
Category

19th Century Old Masters Portrait Paintings

Materials

Oil, Wood Panel

Antique British Oil Painting Portrait of William Shakespeare Fine Oil on Canvas
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Portrait of William Shakespeare British artist, 18th century oil on canvas, unframed canvas: 24 x 18 inches provenance: private collection, England condition: very good and sound con...
Category

18th Century Old Masters Portrait Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Portrait of Major General James Hanson Salmond - British 18thC art oil painting
By Sir Thomas Lawrence
Located in London, GB
This superb British Old Master oil painting is attributed to circle of Sir Thomas Lawrence. Painted circa 1795, the sitter is Major-General James Hanson Salmond (1766–1837) an office...
Category

1790s Old Masters Portrait Paintings

Materials

Oil

Deposition Atala De Roussy-trioson Paint Oil on canvas 19/20th Century French
Located in Riva del Garda, IT
The deposition of Atala Follower of Anne-Louis Girodet de Roussy-Trioson (Montargis, 1767 - Paris, 1824) 19th-20th century Oil on canvas 47 x 65 cm. - Framed 67 x 84 cm The propos...
Category

Late 19th Century Old Masters Portrait Paintings

Materials

Oil

17th Century Dutch Old Master Oil Painting Oval Shape Figures in Tavern Interior
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Tavern Interior Dutch School, 17th century oil on metal, framed framed: 8 x 6.75 inches painting: 6 x 4.25 inches provenance: private collection condition: very good and sound condit...
Category

17th Century Old Masters Portrait Paintings

Materials

Oil

Fine English Georgian Oil Family Welcoming Son back From School Country House
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
"The Return from School" English School, circa 1820 after the painting by William Redmore Bigg, RA, British 1755-1828 condition: excellent restored condition Provenance: Christie’s, 1988; Private Collection, UK A very fine Georgian painting capturing this wonderful image from the social history of England. We see a school boy returning home for the holidays, his trunk and belongings being handed over, whilst his mother and siblings watch on, on the steps and entrance to their large country home (the gate lodge stands in the distance). It is a superbly painted work and presented in excellent condition. The image is after the original painting by William Redmore Bigg, RA, British 1755-1828. Chiefly known from their many engraved versions, the original oils...
Category

Early 19th Century Old Masters Portrait Paintings

Materials

Oil, Canvas

John Hervey Portrait on occasion of receiving the Title 1st Earl of Bristol
By (Circle of) Godfrey Kneller
Located in Firenze, IT
Portrait of John Hervey, 1st Earl of Bristol (1665-1751). Early 18th-century near-life-size portrait of a noble man richly dressed in a long wig. Circle of the German-British cour...
Category

Early 18th Century Old Masters Portrait Paintings

Materials

Oil, Canvas

Portrait Noblewoman Dog Van Loo Paint 18th Century Oil on canvas Old master Art
Located in Riva del Garda, IT
Louis Michel van Loo (Toulon 1707- Paris 1771) attributable Portrait of a noblewoman with her little dog Oil on canvas (79 x 66 cm. - with frame 92 x 78 cm.) A qualitative portrait depicting an elegant noblewoman of French origin, presumably belonging to the wealthy court of Versailles during the reign of Louis XV; this work fully reflects the pictorial qualities as well as the refinement of the compositional style of the French painter Louis Michel van Loo (1707- 1771), one of the most significant portrait painters of his time, and for this reason in demand at the most noble European courts. The work, taking up the traditional formula for portraits of members of the aristocracy, shows the effigy in a half-length pose, slightly turned to the right and looking directly at the viewer. The woman, with a regal bearing, is here portrayed intent on completing her daily beauty ritual, wearing a cape during her make-up, which must have just been completed as pink powder is visible on her cheeks. This luxurious garment reveals a corset with a daring neckline, made of silk and lace, and a coral-coloured dress ending in wide jabote cuffs. Her hair is styled in the French fashion in a hairstyle that highlights her facial features. Having finished her beauty ritual, the woman is intent on removing her cape with one hand, an elegant gesture that emphasises her noble pose. At her side is her small pet dog, sitting on a blue velvet cushion with gold trim. The canvas may have been made on the occasion of a wedding, elegantly celebrating the role of a member of the aristocracy. The presence of the pet depicted in her arms had in fact a precise meaning: the fidelity that is such a well-known characteristic of the dog, declared at the same time the virtues of the effigy. Louis Michel van Loo (Toulon 1707- Paris 1771) was the son of the painter Jean Baptiste van Loo, with whom he studied in Rome and Turin. He attended the Paris Academy, where he won the first prize for painting in 1726. In 1728 he returned to Rome, where he met Francois Boucher. In 1732, passing through Turin, he returned to Paris. In 1737 van Loo became court painter in Madrid, succeeding Jean Ranc...
Category

18th Century Old Masters Portrait Paintings

Materials

Oil

English Portraits of Lady, Dorothy & Jane Wood c.1750, Remarkable Carved Frames
By John Theodore Heins
Located in London, GB
Portraits of a Lady, Dorothy and Jane Wood c.1750, Fine Carved Frames By John Theodore Heins (1697-1756) Titan Fine Art present these works, which formed part of a collection of family heirlooms of the Wood family who were from Bracon Ash, Norfolk, since the medieval period. Jane’s daughter Ann, was famously married on board the Foudroyant, off Naples, in a lavish ceremony in 1799, with Lord Nelson himself giving away the bride. The paintings descended within the family for around 275 years until recent and are exquisite examples of Georgian portraiture in England and are some of the best works by the artist. The original hand carved and gilded pierced frames are magnificent works of art in their own right. The sitters were two children, out of several, of Thomas Wood (1682-176) and Dorothy Huby (1700-1759). The family is from Norwich, which in 1720 was a city second in importance only to London. Their aunt, Jane Wood (1677-1756), was a Franciscan nun in Bruges. Dorothy Wood (in the blue dress) was baptised 2nd June 1726 and she died unmarried around 1759. Jane (in the pink dress) gave birth to at least six children during her thirty two-year marriage. She was baptised 14 Oct 1727 at Bracon Ash. Jane married Knipe Gobbet (1730/5-1791) who was Sheriff in 1768 (and Mayor in 1771) of the City of Norwich, and later Lieutenant-Colonel of the West Norfolk Regiment, in which corps he had served in for many years. According to Payne’s Universal Chronicle or Weekly Gazette the marriage took place on 7th July 1758. Knipe was born at his family seat, Tacolneston Hall, to parents George Gobbet, who was Sheriff in 1710, and Ann. The couple bought and lived in a house in Norwich (later known as Gurney’s Bank House) until 1778 before moving to another one at 10 St Stephen’s Street, Norwich. Later, they inherited the family seat of Tacolnestan Hall and lived there for the remainder of their lives. Knipe Gobbet was a prominent individual and in 1779 he gave the corporation of Norwich 100 pounds, to be disposed of as they might think proper, and soon after that he was presented with a handsome field tent, marquee, and camp equipage, in testimony of their esteem for his dedication to the defence and service of this country at a time when threatened by an invasion. Although Jane was baptised a Roman Catholic Knipe was a prominent local wine merchant, JP, Alderman, sheriff, mayor and Lieutenant. Roman Catholics may have paid lip service to religious conformity as they were excluded from certain areas of public life before the Catholic Emancipation Act of 1829. Such discrimination probably lies behind the why their children are included in the registers of both the Anglican church in Tacolneston and the Norwich Catholic church in the 1760s. Jane and Knipe had one son, Thomas, who died at the age of four of a small-pox inoculation in 1762 (memorial stones in the Church of All Saints, Tacolneston) and many daughters who were schooled at the Order of the Immaculate Conception of Our Lady, in Paris. Their oldest daughter, Anne (1760-1817) was born at Tacolneston Hall. She came to the convent 30 Sept 1774 and ten days later she went to Dames St Sacrament, Rue St Louis in Paris. Their second daughter, Dorothy (died suddenly of apoplexy 21st Nov 1813), came to the convent 19th July 1777 when she was 16 years old and returned to England 23 March 1779. Frances (baptised 22 Feb 1763) came to the convent 16th April 1772 when she was 9 years old and returned 29th May 1777 – however she returned again to the convent 16th May 1778 and left 15th Oct 1778 to return home again. She later married and her surname became Negri. Another daughter, Jane, is thought to have married Juan Manuel Martinez in 1784. There was also another daughter, Mary. The eldest daughter, Ann, first married Peter Bottalini of London 27 Oct 1783 at Tacolneston Hall. They had one son together. She then married on 9th July 1799, Dr William Compton (1733- Clifton 1824), the Chancellor of Ely and the next collateral male relation to the Earl of Northampton (he had earlier marriages to Caroline and Catherine). William Compton later retired from the Commons and spent many years on the continent acting as Chancellor of Ely by proxy from 1777 for the remainder of his life. The couple were British residents of Posilipo Naples and the marriage was hosted on board the Foudroyant, off Naples, where the bride was given away by the Right Hon. Lord Nelson himself. The marriage document, signed by Lord Nelson, Lady Emma Hamilton, Captain Thomas Hardy, and others descended within the family, until sold in a sale that raised worldwide interest in 2023, for £20,160. The document is accompanied by a contemporary manuscript account of the wedding, headed 'Paragraph for the papers, sent to Messrs Coutts & Co with request to have it inserted'. Lord Nelson was a household name in Britain due to his many victories, including the Battle of the Nile against the French Navy in August 1798 – which came before the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. The document states: 'This is to certify that, on board the Foudroyant lying in Naples Bay, on the ninth of July 1799 the marriage between William Compton & Mrs Anne Bottalin, widow, was solemnized by me S. G. Comyn HM. Chaplain to the Right Honble Lord Nelson, H.M.S. Foudroyant, in the presence of'. With the following autograph signatures: Sir William Hamilton (1731-1803), Lady Emma Hamilton (1765-1815), Horatio Nelson, Viscount Nelson (1758-1805); Sir John Thomas Duckworth (1747-1817), Sir Thomas Masterman Hardy (1769-1839), John Rushout, 2nd Baron Northwick (1769-1859), Josiah Nisbet (1780-1830), John Tyson, William Compton and Anne Bottalin, and 2 others” The document sheds light on Nelson's lesser-known side of his character. William Compton ... received "a great many favours and kindnesses" from Nelson, and most especially "the kind interest" taken in sealing his union with a wife who made him "the happiest of mortals". Anne, the aforesaid spouse, said that the admiral's "good heart" had made her "as happy as I can possibly be on this earth" ... Midshipman Parsons remembered those days nostalgically, noting Emma's "graceful form" bending over her harp to bestow "heavenly music" upon the diners on the quarterdeck and the large-decked galley, flush with opera singers, that glided alongside to serenade the sunset of each day'. Tacolneston has an ancient history of which according to the Domesday Book, Edward I granted a weekly market to be held on a Wednesday at the manor of Tacolneston and two annual fairs. The church was rebuilt in 1503 and is dedicated to All Saints. The earliest view of Tacolneston is a print of 1781 when it belonged to Knipe Gobbet Esq. John Theodore Heins (1697-1756) was a painter whose work, at his best, shows detail of an exceptionally high quality. His portraits of Anna Maria Kett nee Phillips and her husband Henry Kett, painted in 1741, are exceptional and evidence that he had the ability to portray a likeness on par with some of the best portraitists in England at the time. Heins appears to have originated in Germany but moved to the UK and settled in Norwich around 1720. From 1720 to his death in 1756, Heins built up a fine reputation as a portrait painter and painted many members of prominent Norfolk families right up to his last year. He was commissioned in 1732 to paint a portrait of the Mayor of Norwich, Francis Arnam and also the previous year's Mayor Robert Marsh...
Category

18th Century Old Masters Portrait Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

17th century Flemish Old Master - A young boy enjoying a pie, allegory of taste
Located in Antwerp, BE
17th century Flemish old master painting, Allegory of taste The very fine painting depicts a young boy, cheekily tasting a delicious pie. He's looking at the viewer with eyes twinkl...
Category

17th Century Old Masters Portrait Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

17th century Old Master painting - Allegory of Justice - truth demons skeleton
Located in Antwerp, BE
Late 17th, early 18th century old master oil painting depicting an allegory of Lady Justice holding demons at bay Our painting, likely a sketch for a much larger work,, conveys a pr...
Category

18th Century Old Masters Portrait Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Portrait of man with white hair
Located in Genève, GE
Work on canvas Plaster and gilded wood frame 66 x 59 x 9 cm Fragile frame for transport. It is possible that it is damaged during the journey.
Category

Early 19th Century Old Masters Portrait Paintings

Materials

Oil

Antique Italian painter - 18th-19th century figure painting - Oil on canvas
Located in Varmo, IT
Bolognese painter (18th-19th century) - Maddalena. 70 x 50 cm without frame, 89 x 69 cm with frame. Antique oil painting on canvas, in a carved and gilded wooden frame. Condition ...
Category

Late 18th Century Old Masters Portrait Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Portrait of Scottish Gentleman with Clay Pipe - 18th century art oil painting
Located in London, GB
This atmospheric 18th century portrait oil painting is attributed to a Scottish artist. Painted circa 1750, The painting is a half length portrait of a seated gentleman. He is wearing a blue bonnet, the badge of a Scottish country gentleman and smoking a clay pipe. The way the light catches his hand and face and gleams on his buttons is lovely. The frame is super in that it echoes the button on his jacket. This is an excellent example of an 18th century Scottish portrait...
Category

17th Century Old Masters Portrait Paintings

Materials

Oil

18th Century French Portrait of Mysterious Man Oil on Canvas for restoration
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Portrait of a Gentleman French School, 18th century oil on canvas, unframed canvas : 25 x 20 inches provenance: private collection, France condition: the painting is in sound conditi...
Category

18th Century Old Masters Portrait Paintings

Materials

Oil

Portrait of a Boy with Bird - British 17thC Old Master art oil painting
Located in London, GB
This stunning 17th century Old Master portrait oil painting is attributed to Godfrey Kneller. Painted circa 1680 it is a superb full length portrait of a blo...
Category

1680s Old Masters Portrait Paintings

Materials

Oil

Portrait of William Stonestreet - Dutch Golden Age 17thC art oil painting
Located in London, GB
This superb Dutch Golden Age portrait is attributed to circle of Dutch artist Wybrand Simonsz de Geest. Painted in 1666 it is a full length portrait of a young William Stonestreet. H...
Category

1660s Old Masters Portrait Paintings

Materials

Oil

Portrait of Madonna at Prayer - Italian Old Master art religious oil painting
By Giovanni Battista Salvi da Sassoferrato
Located in London, GB
This rather special Italian Old Master religious portrait oil painting is attributed to a follower of Giovanni Battista Salvi, or Sassoferrato as he is better known. Painted circa 17...
Category

1790s Old Masters Portrait Paintings

Materials

Oil

Old Masters portrait paintings for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Old Masters portrait paintings available for sale on 1stDibs. Works in this style were very popular during the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artists have continued to produce works inspired by this movement. Many Pop art paintings were created by popular artists on 1stDibs, including (After) Giampietrino, Henri-Joseph Castaing, Charles Towne, and Jean Alexandre Rémy Couder. Frequently made by artists working with Paint, and Oil Paint and other materials, all of these pieces for sale are unique and have attracted attention over the years. Not every interior allows for large Old Masters portrait paintings, so small editions measuring 4.53 inches across are also available. Prices for portrait paintings made by famous or emerging artists can differ depending on medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $695 and tops out at $339,912, while the average work sells for $4,791.

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