A Soggy Inconvenience

Henry Hintermeister was born in 1897 in New York. His father John Henry Hintermeister was an illustrator as well. Father and son often worked as a duo, from the 1890s–1940s, under the pseudonym Hy Hintermeister. They became well known producing over 1,000 illustrations; John Henry and Hintermeister were often compared to Norman Rockwell with their illustration storytelling. Both father and son painters injected humor into their paintings and one can’t help but laugh or feel a wave of nostalgia come over them. When working for a client the Hintermeisters would send a sketch to the client for approval then used models from a large POOL of friends, family and neighbors. John died in 1945 and Hintermeister in 1963. Both artists used the same signature but on rare occasions, John would sign "J. Hy Hintermeister.

When paired with the perfect frame, the right antique and vintage paintings and other wall decorations can either subtly showcase your personality or steal the show altogether. 

The earliest paintings were created on the walls of caves, proving even our ancient ancestors knew that striking artwork is meant to be on display. Cave paintings on an Indonesian island are reportedly older than the earliest cave art in Spain and France, and the figurative paintings back then were produced with inorganic pigments like iron oxide.

Later, the people of Ancient Greece — who learned about art from the Egyptians before them — conceived panel paintings of wax and tempera that were collected and publicly displayed. In the centuries that followed, artists would be commissioned to create large-scale wall murals and frescoed ceilings in sprawling European palaces and in the homes of the aristocracy.

Today, 1stDibs makes it easy for you to celebrate this rich history in your own home. Our collection of paintings includes Art Deco paintings, baroque art and a broad range of other categories. Search by material, period or other attributes to find the right fit — browse an array of 19th century landscape paintings in giltwood frames or abstract oil paintings and portraits made during the 1950s and ‘60s.

An understated contemporary work can complement your space’s color palette without drawing the focus away from the other pivotal design choices you’ve made over the years. Roy Lichtenstein’s Pop art, on the other hand, demands attention with its array of vibrant hues and subjects inspired by popular culture. 

Whether you aim to create a gallery in your home or build a single, stunning focal point, you can find what you’re looking for in an extensive inventory of paintings on 1stDibs.