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.
Fine Antique Italian Old Master Oil Painting Madonna of Sorrows
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Madonna in Sorrow Italian School, mid 19th century after the 17th century Old Master oil painting by Sassoferrato (Uffizi, Florence) Oil on canvas, unframed Canvas: 29.5 × 25 inches ...
Oil
17th century Flemish seascape - Stormy Sea with Merchant Vessels and dolphins
By Bonaventura Peeters the Elder
Located in Aartselaar, BE
Bonaventura Peeters the Elder (1614–1652) attr., Stormy Coastal Scene with Merchant Vessels, Galliot, and Dolphins Framed by rugged cliffs and illuminated under a dark, swirling sk...
Oil, Panel
Venetian School, late 15th century, Saint Paul the Apostle
Located in Stockholm, SE
Venetian School, late 15th century Saint Paul the Apostle oil on panel unframed 44.5 × 23.5 cm (17.5 × 9.3 in) framed 64 × 42 cm (25.2 × 16.5 in) No signature Provenance: Private ...
Oil, Wood Panel
Large 17th Century Dutch Old Master Panel Shipping on Stormy Seas Rocky Coast
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Shipping on Rough Seas by Jacob Adriaensz Bellevois (1621-1675, Dutch), unsigned oil painting on wood panel, framed panel: 23.25 x 32.75 inches framed: 29 x 38 inches. condition: s...
Oil, Wood Panel
Pair of 19th-Century Italian Alpine Oil Paintings Attributed to Giovan Battista
Located in Roma, IT
Pair of Northern Italian landscape paintings from the second half of the 19th century, attributed to the Milanese painter Giovan Battista Lelli (1827–1887). The two compositions depi...
Canvas, Oil
Fine 1700's Italian Old Master Ink & Wash Drawing Roman Allegorical Insubria
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
'Insubria' Italian School, 18th century ink and wash drawing on paper, framed within a light oak wood frame (behind glass) image size: 10.5 x 7 inches overall framed: 17 x 13 inches ...
Ink, Watercolor, Archival Paper
Mediterranean Harbour with Lighthouse and Shipping
Located in Stockholm, SE
French School, late 17th Century Mediterranean Harbour with Lighthouse and Shipping oil on panel, circular composition unframed 20 cm (7.9 in) framed 33.5 × 33.5 cm (13.2 × 13.2 in...
Oil, Wood Panel
17th Century Flemish School Adoration of the Magi Oil on Canvas
Located in Sant Celoni, ES
"17th Century Flemish School Old Master Adoration of the Magi." Oil on canvas. Previously relined. Unsigned. Artwork: 81 × 61 cm (31.9 × 24 in.). 88 × 69 cm (34.6 × 27.2 in.). (Fra...
Oil, Canvas
$4,033Sale Price|20% Off
Fine Antique Classical Roman Landscape Figures Boats Merchant Port Ancient City
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
The Embarkation of the Queen of Sheeba British School, early 19th century, apparently unsigned though the previous owner insisted it was. after the earlier painting by Claude Lorrai...
Oil
18th Century German Old Master Portrait of an Elderly Bearded Man
By Christian Wilhelm Ernst Dietrich
Located in Stockholm, SE
Circle of Christian Wilhelm Ernst Dietrich (1712–1774) Germany Head of an Elderly Bearded Man oil on panel unframed 28 × 22.5 cm (11 × 8.9 in) framed 44.5 × 38.5 cm (17.5 × 15.2 in...
Oil, Wood Panel
Early 18th-Century Italian Venetian Portrait Painting Tempera on Glass
Located in Roma, IT
Early 18th-Century Italian Venetian Portrait Painting on Glass This wonderful early 18th-century portrait of a lady holding a small dog is a classic example of reverse glass painting...
Glass, Tempera
$5,344Sale Price|20% Off
Fine 17th Century Dutch Golden Age Old Master Oil Figures in Classical Landscape
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Figures in Classical Landscape Dutch School, 17th century unsigned, as is typical of the period oil on canvas, framed inscribed verso to label framed: 23 x 27 inches canvas : 20 x 24...
Oil
$1,377Sale Price|20% Off
Fine 17th Century Italian Old Master Oil Painting Portrait of the Madonna
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Portrait of the Madonna in Prayer 17th Century Italian School oil on board, framed framed: 6.75 x 6 inches board: 5 x 4 inches Provenance: private collection, England Condition: ver...
Oil
$983Sale Price|20% Off
Fine Large Oil Painting Portrait of the Lady with the Fan Diego Velazquez
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Portrait of the Lady with a Fan English School, second half 20th century after Diego Velazquez's (1599-1660) original painting oil painting on canvas, unframed canvas : 36 x 28 inche...
Oil
Fine 17th Century English Master Oil Painting Mother & Two Children Portrait
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Mother with Two Children Reading English School (17th century). Canvas: 29 × 25 inches Medium: oil on canvas, unframed. Provenance: private collection, UK. Condition: good overall co...
Oil
$7,432Sale Price|20% Off
Fine Pair 1700's Portraits of Moorish Prince and Princess in Carved Wood Frames
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Circle of Jean Baptiste Vanmour (French, 1671–1737) Portraits of a Moorish Prince and Princess c. 1700 Pair of oil paintings on canvas, unsigned framed in carved gilt wood frames D...
Canvas, Oil
$7,651Sale Price|20% Off
Fine 18th Century Italian Classical Huge Oil Painting Figures Animals Landscape
By Jan Frans van Bloemen (Orizzonte)
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Figures & Animals in Classical Landscape circle of Jans Frans Van Bloemen (Orizzonte 1662 - 1749), unsigned oil on canvas, framed framed: 28.5 x 42.5 inches canvas: 19 x 34 inches P...
Oil
Period Marine Landscape Credited to Warren Sheppard
Located in Roma, IT
This beautiful painting, due to its very high quality of execution, style and era, can be referred to the great artist Warren Sheppard, who specialized in seascapes. Of great evocati...
Canvas, Oil
$6,500
17th Century Memento Mori Vanitas Skull Old Master Oil Ex-Christie’s
Located in Yardley, PA
This wonderful 17th-century French School vanitas painting is a meditation on mortality and the transience of earthly pleasures. The composition centers on a finely rendered human sk...
Canvas, Oil
$1,634Sale Price|20% Off
Fine 1800's French Oil Figures by Monastic Ruins Stream Bucolic Landscape
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Monastic Ruins by a Stream French School, early 1800's oil on canvas, framed Framed 15 x 19 inches Canvas : 12.5 x 16 inches Provenance: private collection, France Condition: very go...
Oil
$8,280Sale Price|20% Off
St. George Dragon Tuscan School 17/18th Century Paint Oil on canvas Old master
Located in Riva del Garda, IT
Tuscan School 17th–18th centuries Saint George and the Dragon Oil on canvas 66 x 50 cm. Framed: 92 x 76 cm. The fascinating painting we present here depicts the victory of ...
Oil
$4,162Sale Price|20% Off
Adoration of the Shepherds by a follower of Denys Calvaert
Located in Stockholm, SE
Unknown Italo-Flemish Artist (active circa 1600) Adoration of the Shepherds oil on copper unframed: 32 × 25.5 cm (12.6 × 10 in) framed: 43 × 37 cm (16.9 × 14.6 in) Provenance: Acq...
Copper
$1,639Sale Price|20% Off
Huge 18th Century British Oil Painting Dusk Landscape Figures Boat & Lake
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Dusk Landscape British School, 18th century oil on canvas, unframed painting: 32 x 41 inches provenance: private collection, UK condition: very good and...
Oil, Canvas
$19,477Sale Price|20% Off
Salome Baptist Campi 16th Century Oil on canvas Old master Portrait Italy Art
Located in Riva del Garda, IT
Bernardino Campi (Cremona 1522–1591) Salome with the Head of John the Baptist Oil on canvas 101 x 76 cm. – Framed 118 x 94 cm. Provenance: Templum Fine Art Auctions, Barcelon...
Oil
Large Fine 19th Century Landscape Oil on Canvas of Victorian London by Moonlight
By Henry Pether
Located in Gerrards Cross, GB
‘Westminster from the Thames by Moonlight’ by Henry Pether (1800-1880). The painting - one of the artist’s finest views of London in the 1860s - depicts the Houses of Parliament, t...
Oil
$3,770Sale Price|20% Off
The Madonna with Christ Child & St. John Fine 18th Century Italian Old Master
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
The Madonna, Christ Child and St. John Italian School, 18th century oil on wood, framed in period gilt antique frame framed: 16 x 14.5 inches wood: 9 x 6.5 inches provenance: private...
Oil
$11,568Sale Price|20% Off
Saint Agatha Santacroce Paint 16th Century Oil on canvas Old master Religious
Located in Riva del Garda, IT
Francesco di Girolamo da Santacroce (Venice, 1516–1584) Saint Agatha Oil on canvas 126 x 68 cm. Framed: 137 x 80 cm. The painting depicts Saint Agatha (a companion piece fe...
Oil
Italian School, Late 17th Century Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane
Located in Woodbury, CT
Italian School, Late 17th Century (circa 1670–1700) Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane Oil on panel, in a carved and gilded Baroque frame The painting is unsigned A moving devotiona...
Copper
$22,527Sale Price|20% Off
Venus Adonis Giaquinto Paint 18th Century Oil on canvas Old master Italian Art
Located in Riva del Garda, IT
Corrado Giaquinto (Naples, 1703 – Naples, 1765) Venus tries to dissuade Adonis from going hunting Oil on canvas 131 x 100 cm. – With an important period frame (imperfections, mi...
Oil
$1,638Sale Price|20% Off
Large 18th Century English Old Master Oil Painting Portrait of Lady on canvas
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Portrait of a Lady English School, 18th century oil on canvas, unframed canvas : 31 x 25 inches provenance: private collection, UK condition: good and sound condition
Oil, Canvas
17th Century Netherlandish Portrait of Gentleman with Ruff c.1620
Located in Stockholm, SE
Provenance: The Raeburn Gallery, as by Maerten de Vos; Bukowskis, Stockholm, 15–18 April 1970, lot 133, as in the manner of Anthony van Dyck; Private collection, Sweden Essay: This ...
Oil, Wood Panel
17th century follower of Rubens, two military men on horse back in a landscape
Located in Woodbury, CT
17th century English/Dutch School, from the Circle of Sir Peter Paul Rubens A very interesting and well-painted 17th-century oil on canvas of two men seated on horseback in a landsc...
Canvas, Oil
Pair of Grand Tour Italian Neapolitan Costal Landscape
Located in Roma, IT
An important and extremely rare pair of Italian landscapes from the Neoclassical period, painted using the refined technique of tempera. They depict views of the Tyrrhenian coast ne...
Paper, Tempera
Madonna and Child
Located in Genève, GE
No signed This 18th-century oil on copper painting, by an anonymous artist, exemplifies the refinement and technical sophistication associated with this highly prized medium in Euro...
Copper
$1,295Sale Price|20% Off
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...
Oil
Saint Bruno of Cologne - Oil on Canvas - 19th Century
Located in Sant Celoni, ES
Old religious themed oil painting on canvas representing Saint Bruno of Cologne, founder of the Carthusian Order, recognizable by his white habit and the characteristic gesture of si...
Oil
$1,967Sale Price|20% Off
Antique French Old Master Oil Painting Christ Healing the Sick in Jersusalem
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Christ Healing the Sick French School, 19th century oil on canvas, unframed canvas: 15 x 20.5 inches Provenance: private collection, Europe Condition: some craquelure throughout, mo...
Oil
$1,522
CAVALRY BATTLE- Antonio Savisio - Neapolitan School - Oil on canvas Painting,
Located in Napoli, IT
Land Battle - Antonio Savisio Italia 2006 - Oil on canvas diam. cm. 30 Gold leaf gilded and laquered wooden frame cm. 47x47 Maestro Antonio Savisio drew inspiration from the master...
Canvas, Oil
$6,463Sale Price|20% Off
Christ Supported by an Angel in the Garden of Gethsemane, On Slate
Located in Stockholm, SE
This evocative Veronese School painting captures the moment in the Garden of Gethsemane when Christ, overwhelmed with sorrow, prays to God before his arrest and crucifixion. Supporte...
Slate
French school, circa 1840, Portrait of a Gentleman, oil on wood, signed
Located in Paris, FR
French school, circa 1840, Portrait of a Gentleman, monogrammed D.L. on the lower right oil on wood panel 28.8 x 24,8 In a beautiful antique frame : 48 x 43.5 cm This gentleman’s...
Oil
$655Sale Price|20% Off
Escuela española (XVIII) - Óleo sobre cobre - Virgen orando
Located in Sant Celoni, ES
La pintura representa a la Virgen María por su iconografía tradicional. Viste un manto azul verdoso que cubre su cabeza y hombros, y una túnica rosada con detalles en tonos claros. S...
Oil
$1,405Sale Price|20% Off
Virgin and Child Oil on Canvas, Colonial School, Mid-19th Century
Located in Sant Celoni, ES
Interesting oil on canvas depicting the Virgin and Child, belonging to the Colonial School, almost certainly Cusco (Peru). It dates from the mid-19th century and is unsigned. The wor...
Oil
Virgin and Child Italian School Oil Painting on Canvas, Late 18th Century
Located in Sant Celoni, ES
La obra no va firmada Se presenta enmarcada la obra con un marco en madera dorada del siglo xix (el marco presenta algunas ligeras faltas sin importancia) Medidas obra: 20 x 17 cm....
Oil
Fine Old Master Portrait of Wilhelm Burggraeff after Rembrandt Oil Painting
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Portrait of Wilhelm Burggraeff German School, after Rembrandt van Rijn inscribed verso oil on board, framed Framed size: 17 x 14 inches Board size: 15 x 12 inches Provenance: private...
Oil
Rebel - Oil on Canvas Figurative Painting, 40h x 30w in, Signed, 2026
By Bruno Surdo
Located in Chicago, IL
A contemporary cowboy is rendered with the gravity of a classical male nude. Surdo treats the body with the care of an Old Master while layering in the mythology of American masculin...
Canvas, Oil
$3,552Sale Price|20% Off
17th Century Large Italian Old Master Oil Christ and the Penitent Canaanite
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
17th Century Italian School Christ and the Canaanite Woman oil on canvas, framed Framed: 30.5 x 35 inches in an antique gilt 'hollow' fra...
Oil
$4,098Sale Price|20% Off
Fine 17th Century Dutch Old Master Oil Bathers by Wooden Pool Carved Wood Frame
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Bathers by the Woodland Pool Dutch School, 17th century circle of Cornelis van Poelenburgh (1594-1667) oil on copper, framed framed: 13 x 15 i...
Oil
$14,482Sale Price|20% Off
Huge 17th Century Flemish Old Master Oil Painting Figures Playing Cards
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
The Card Players Flemish Old Master, 17th century based on a version (in reverse) of a painting by Cornelis de Vos (Flemish 1584-1651) oil on canvas, unframed Canvas: 39 x 62 inches ...
Oil, Canvas
$1,124Sale Price|20% Off
Excuela española (XVIII) - Jesús nazareno con la cruz - Óleo sobre tela
Located in Sant Celoni, ES
La obra no va firmada Buen estado de conservación el de la pintura, solo comentar que la tela está reentelada Se presenta enmarcada la obra Medidas obra: 72 cm x 54 cm. Medidas m...
Oil
Fine 17thC British Portrait Aristocratic Lady Holding Flowers Huge Oil Painting
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Portrait of an Aristocratic Lady Holding Flowers in a Landscape Setting English School, 17th century, circle of Sir Peter Lely (1618-1680) inscribed 'C Wither of Hall Place' oil on ...
Oil
$8,402Sale Price|20% Off
Queen Sofonisba Portrait Nuvolone Paint 17th Century Oil on canvas Old master
Located in Riva del Garda, IT
Carlo Francesco Nuvolone (Milan 1609 – Milan 1662), attributed The Suicide of Queen Sofonisba Oil on canvas 76 x 60 cm. - In frame 100 x 85 cm. This painting captures the tr...
Oil
$17,656Sale Price|20% Off
Alexander The Great Fontebasso Paint 18th Century OIl on canvas Old Master Italy
Located in Riva del Garda, IT
Francesco Fontebasso (Venice 1709 – Venice 1769) Alexander the Great Shows Mercy to the Persians Oil on canvas 108 x 153 cm. - Framed 120 x 164 cm. Highly captivating due to ...
Oil
$11,568Sale Price|20% Off
Archangel Michael Reni Paint 17/18th Century Oil on canvas Old master Religious
Located in Riva del Garda, IT
Archangel Michael Guido Reni (Bologna 1575–1642) Follower of 17th–18th century Oil on canvas 134 x 96 cm. - Framed 147 x 108 cm. The work in question, of excellent qual...
Oil
$1,686Sale Price|20% Off
Escuela española (XVIII) - Óleo sobre tela - San Francisco de Asís
Located in Sant Celoni, ES
Como pueden apreciar, la obra no va firmada Se presenta enmarcada la obra con un marco del siglo xix en madera estucada y policromada (el marco presenta algún leve descolche) El es...
Oil
$10,350Sale Price|20% Off
Portrait Noblewoman Van Loo Paint 18th Century Oil on canvas Old master French
Located in Riva del Garda, IT
Jean-Baptiste van Loo (Aix-en-Provence, 1684–1745) circle Portrait of a Lady Oil on canvas 93 x 77 cm. In antique frames (with imperfections) 103 x 87 cm. The painting depicts...
Oil
$16,925Sale Price|20% Off
Rape of the Sabine Women Malò Paint 17th Century Oil on canvas Old master taly
Located in Riva del Garda, IT
The Rape of the Sabine Women Vincent Malò (Cambrai, c. 1595/1600 – Rome, 1649) attributed Oil on canvas 110 x 193 cm. In frame 122 x 206 cm. The ...
Oil
$4,317Sale Price|20% Off
Fine Italian Old Master Oil Painting c. 1700's The Madonna Christ Child St. John
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
The Madonna, Christ Child and St. John Italian Old Master, circa 1700's period oil painting on canvas, unframed Canvas: 28.5 x 24 inches conditon: overall very good for its age, a fe...
Canvas, Oil
$16,804Sale Price|20% Off
Saint Michael Archangel Reni Paint 17th Centuty Oil on canvas Old master
Located in Riva del Garda, IT
Saint Michael the Archangel Workshop of Guido Reni (1575–1642) First half of the 17th century Oil on canvas Dimensions: 132 x 90 cm. With frame: 143 x 102 cm. The Saint...
Oil
$71,843Sale Price|20% Off
Neptune Poseidon Guercino Paint 17th Century Oil on canvas Old master Italy Art
Located in Riva del Garda, IT
Neptune on the Waves of the Ocean Workshop of Giovanni Francesco Barbieri, known as Il Guercino (Cento, 1591 – Bologna, 1666) Attributed to Ercole Gennari (Cento, 1597 – Bologna...
Oil
$7,793Sale Price|20% Off
Still-Life Flowers Stanchi Paint 17th Century Oil on canvas Old master Italy Art
Located in Riva del Garda, IT
Giovanni Stanchi (Rome, 1608–1675) Workshop Still Life with a Vase of Flowers Oil on canvas 76 x 61 cm. - Framed (with imperfections) 93 x 77 cm. The composition features a l...
Oil