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.
Dutch Vessel Passing a Rocky Headland with Dolphins
Located in Stockholm, SE
This finely executed cabinet painting belongs to the rich tradition of early seventeenth century Dutch marine painting associated with Haarlem and the circle surrounding Cornelis Ver...
Oak, Oil, Wood Panel
A British Man O’War in distress on a rocky coast in a storm
Located in Stoke, Hampshire
Johann c. van der Hagen (1676-c.1745) A British Man O’War in distress on a rocky coast in a storm Signed 'J. vanderhagen' lower right Oil on canvas Canvas size - 38 1/2 x 51 in Frame...
Oil
$5,053
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
View of the Bay of Naples with Mount Vesuvius
Located in Stockholm, SE
Unknown artist (Naples), 19th century View of the Bay of Naples with Mount Vesuvius oil on metal plate unframed: 7.8 cm (3.1 in) diameter framed: 20.5 × 20.5 cm (8.1 × 8.1 in) Thi...
Metal
Figures and horses by a bridge in a river landscape
By John Wootton
Located in Stoke, Hampshire
John Wootton (1686-1765) Figures and horses by a bridge in a river landscape Oil on canvas 27 x 42 in John Wootton was one of the earliest and most influential British sporting pai...
Oil
$19,877
An Italianate landscape with a messenger & his horse on a wooded path, a lake
Located in Stoke, Hampshire
John Tobias Young (1786-1828) An Italianate landscape with a messenger & his horse on a wooded path, a lake & ancient ruins beyond Signed & dated “J. Young 1821” lower centre Oil on ...
Oil
$1,369Sale Price|20% Off
17th Century Dutch Oil Painting Figures outside Building in Ancient Landscape
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Figures in Landscape Dutch School, 17th century oil on wood panel, framed in antique wooden frame framed: 14.5 x 17 inches panel : 10 x 12 inches Provenance: private collection, Engl...
Oil
$5,362Sale 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
$7,669Sale 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
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
$17,861Sale 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
$1,637Sale 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
$2,407Sale Price|20% Off
Fine 1800's Italian Grand Tour Oil Painting Figures before Classical Buildings
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
The Arcadian View Italian School, circa 1800 Grand Tour subject oil on canvas, unframed canvas : 12 x 16 inches provenance: private collection, UK condition: very good and sound cond...
Oil
$2,632Sale Price|20% Off
Large Traditional Dutch River Landscape with Old Town & Houses Signed Oil
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Landscape in Holland (titled verso) Dutch School, 20th century signed oil painting on canvas, framed framed: 30 x 42 inches canvas: 24 x 36 inches provenance: private collection, Eng...
Oil, Canvas
$2,629Sale Price|20% Off
Figures Dancing Classical Ancient Ruins & Landscape Large Old Master Painting
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Revelry in a Classical Landscape Italian School, early 18th century (circa 1700) oil painting on canvas, laid on board, unframed board: 20 x 36 inches provenan...
Oil
$8,709Sale Price|20% Off
Huge 18th Century Italian Old Master Oil Painting Figures & Animals Arcadian
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
The Arcadian Landscape Italian School, 18th century oil painting on canvas, unframed canvas size: 32 x 40 inches condition: excellent condition for its age, fully restored. provenance: from a private collection in Paris, France. Large scale classical 18th century Italian Old Master...
Canvas, Oil
Les Causses du Minervois
Located in North Clarendon, VT
Stunning old master oil on canvas of a French landscape with an aquaduct in the foreground and a medieval village in the distance. Possibly Les Causses du Minervois. Oval canvas,...
Oil
$2,412Sale Price|20% Off
Shipping in Calm Waters, 18th Century Dutch Oil on Wood Panel, Man o War
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Shipping in Calm Waters Dutch School, 18th century oil painting on wood panel panel: 10 x 12.75 inches framed: 14 x 17 inches condition: very good, minor evidenc...
Oil, Wood Panel
$657Sale Price|20% Off
18th C Italian Classical Grand Tour Ancient City Old Ruins & Figures
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Title: The Italian City Artist/ School: English/ Italian School, late 18th century; a Grand Tour work. Medium: pencil drawing. Size: 6.75 x 9.75 inches Provenance: from a priva...
Pencil
$4,112Sale 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
$5,910Sale Price|20% Off
Madonna Molinari Paint 17th Century Oil on copper Old master Religious Art Italy
By ANTONIO MOLINARI (Venice, 1655-1704)
Located in Riva del Garda, IT
Antonio Molinari (Venice, 1655-1704) attributable Madonna and Child with Saint John the Baptist Oil on copper (24 x 20 cm - In frame 36 x 31 cm) This exquisite copper paint...
Oil
18th century French Garden or Féte a Bride and musicians playing music
Located in Woodbury, CT
This enchanting 18th-century French fête galante captures the elegance and joy of aristocratic leisure, set amidst a lush garden adorned with flowers. A scene of refined celebration,...
Canvas, Oil
$4,680Sale Price|20% Off
Battle Scene Cerquozzi Paint 17th Century Oil on canvas Old master Landscape
Located in Riva del Garda, IT
Michelangelo Cerquozzi (Rome 1602–1660) circle Battle Scene oil on canvas 38 x 48 cm. with frame 55 x 66 cm. The compositional and stylistic characteristics of this delightf...
Oil
$2,412Sale Price|20% Off
Very Large Antique French Classical Romantic Oil Painting Ancient Ruin Landscape
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Artist/ School: French School, 19th century Title: Classical Landscape with figures amongst ancient ruins. Medium: oil painting on canvas, unframed. canvas: 24.5 x 36 inches P...
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
$8,253Sale Price|20% Off
Architectural Capriccio Paint Garola 17/18th Century Oil on canvas Old master
Located in Riva del Garda, IT
Pier Francesco Garola (Turin 1638 - Rome 1716) Architectural capriccio with coastal view Oil on canvas 74 x 99 cm With frame 87 x 112 cm Reference bibliography: G. Sestieri,...
Oil
Still-Life Flowers Brueghel Paint 17/18th Century Oil ona canvas Old master Art
Located in Riva del Garda, IT
A follower of Abraham Brueghel (Antwerp, 1631 – Naples, 1697) Still Life with Flowers and Citrus Fruits Oil on canvas 70 x 52 cm. - Framed 85 x 67 cm. The composition depict...
Oil
$65,734Sale Price|20% Off
Victorian London by Moonlight, Large Fine 19th Century Landscape Oil on Canvas
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
$12,191Sale Price|20% Off
Stormy Sea Ships Landscape Van Plattenberg Paint 17/18th Century Oil on canvas
Located in Riva del Garda, IT
Matthieu Van Plattenberg (Antwerp 1608 - Paris 1660) workshop of Stormy sea with ships Oil on canvas 90 x 120 cm - In antique frame 103 x 133 cm This evocative coastal view...
Oil
$4,517Sale Price|35% Off
Five mid 20th century Italian oil landscapes with figures, castles, Churchs
Located in Woodbury, CT
A very interesting set of five mid-20th-century Italian oils on copper. All five are classical landscape subjects and are signed Roger, though we don't know which artist with the n...
Copper
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...
Oil, Canvas
$10,470Sale Price|20% Off
Interior Church Landscape Van Vliet Paint 17th Century Oil on canvas Old master
Located in Riva del Garda, IT
Hendrick Corneliszoon van Vliet (Delft, 1612 – Delft, 1675) Interior of a Flemish Church Oil on canvas 75 x 89 cm. - In frame 103 x 89 cm. This gem of Flemish painting immer...
Oil
$9,731Sale Price|20% Off
Myth Apollo Issa De Lairesse Paint 17/18th Century Oil on canvas Old master Art
Located in Riva del Garda, IT
Gérard de Lairesse (Liège 1641 - Amsterdam 1711) workshop The Myth of Apollo and Issa (from Ovid, Metamorphoses, book VI, 122-124) Oil on canvas 65 x 82 cm. - Framed 84 x 99 cm...
Oil
A view of Bath, England
Located in Stoke, Hampshire
Edmund Garvey (Kilkenny 1740-1813) A view of Bath Oil on canvas Canvas Size 20 x 28 in Framed Size 26 x 33 in Edmund Garvey (1740 – 28 May 1813) was an Irish landscape painter whose...
Oil
$1,418Sale Price|20% Off
Figures Chatting outside Village Tavern in Mountain Landscape, Period Oil
By 19th century Dutch or Flemish school
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Dutch/ Flemish School, early 1800's oil on canvas, framed framed: 19 x 24 inches canvas: 13.5 x 18.5 inches provenance: private collection, France condition: good and sound condition...
Oil, Canvas
$1,069Sale Price|20% Off
18th Century Italian Grand Tour Landscape with Classical Ruins
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Title 18th Century Italian Grand Tour Landscape with Classical Ruins Key Details Artist: Italian School, 18th Century Medium: Watercolour wash on board Size (framed): 9 x 11 inches S...
Watercolor
$27,417Sale Price|20% Off
River Thames by Moonlight, Large 19th Century English Oil on Canvas Painting
By Henry Pether
Located in Gerrards Cross, GB
‘The River Thames at Leigh by Moonlight’ by Henry Pether (1800-1880). The painting is signed by the artist and dated 1851 and is presented in a bespoke gold metal leaf frame. We o...
Oil
$7,121Sale Price|20% Off
Huge 18th Century Italian Oil Painting Shipping in Merchant Port Many Figures
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
The Merchants Port Italian School, 18th century oil painting on canvas, framed framed: 37 x 58 inches canvas: 32 x 52 inches provenance: private collection, UK condition: very good a...
Oil, Canvas
$6,034Sale Price|20% Off
Rebecca At Well De Mura Paint 18th Century Oil on canvas Old master Flemish
Located in Riva del Garda, IT
Francesco de Mura (Naples 1696 - Naples 1782) workshop Rebecca at the Well Oil on canvas 26 x 87 cm. - Framed 38 x 99 cm. NB: The darker strip at the top of the painting is t...
Oil
$2,193
Fine 17th Century Flemish Oil Painting Cavalry Skirmish Many Figures & Horses
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
The Cavalry Skirmish Flemish School, 17th century circle of Pieter Wouvermans, unsigned oil on canvas, framed framed: 12 x 14 inches canvas: 9.5 x 11.5 inches Provenance: private col...
Oil
$5,541Sale Price|20% Off
Lamentation Christ Van Dyck Paint 17/18th Century Oil on canvas Old master Art
Located in Riva del Garda, IT
Lamentation of Christ Follower of Anthony van Dyck (Antwerp 1599 - London 1641) Late 17th-early 18th century Oil on canvas (64 x 51 cm. - Framed 77 x 65 cm.) This is a very...
Oil
$35,058Sale Price|20% Off
A Calm with a Man of War firing a Saluteo
By Peter Monamy
Located in Stoke, Hampshire
Peter Monamy (London 1681-1749) A Calm with a Man of War firing a Salute Oil on canvas Canvas Size 14 1/4 x 17 1/4 in Framed Size 20 x 24 in Peter Monamy was an acclaimed British marine painter of the late 17th and early 18th centuries, renowned for his evocative depictions of seascapes and naval scenes. Born in 1681 on Guernsey, one of the Channel Islands, Monamy displayed an early affinity for art, which was shaped by the maritime culture of his homeland. His works vividly capture the drama and grandeur of the sea, marking him as one of the prominent marine artists of his time. At a young age, Monamy moved to London, where he likely apprenticed with a sign painter. His artistic skills flourished during this period, influenced by Dutch marine painters such as Willem van de Velde the Younger...
Oil
$2,684Sale Price|20% Off
Antique English Grand Tour Old Master Oil Figures Classical Arcadian Landscape
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Classical Landscape English School, early 19th century, unsigned oil on canvas, unframed canvas : 19 x 27 inches Provenance: private collection, UK Condition: The painting is in very...
Canvas, Oil
Classical Landscape - French 17th century art Old Master oil painting
Located in Hagley, England
This superb 17th century French Old Master oil painting is attributed to Jean Francois Millet. Painted circa 1670 it is a classical landscape with figures by a bend in a river in the...
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
$8,006Sale Price|20% Off
Apollo Marsyas Batoni Paint 18th CEntury Oil on canvas Old master Mythological
Located in Riva del Garda, IT
Apollo and Marsyas Pompeo Girolamo Batoni (Lucca 1708 – Rome 1787) circle oil on canvas (65 x 83 cm. - framed 84 x 102 cm.) Provenance: Private collection, Rome The subject...
Oil
$8,318
VENICE -In the Manner of Canaletto- Italian Landscape Oil on Canvas Painting
Located in Napoli, IT
Venice - Mario De Angeli - Italia 2009 - Oil on canvas cm. 80x120. Gold leaf gilded wooden frame ext. mis. cm.100x140 Mario De Angeli's canvas is an extraordinary work of Italian l...
Gold Leaf
Morning Gun - British Old Master naval marine seascape ships art oil painting
By Peter Monamy
Located in Hagley, England
This superb British Old Master marine oil painting is attributed to Peter Monamy. Painted circa 1730 it depicts Morning Gun - A morning gun is a gun fired at the first note of revei...
Oil
$821Sale Price|20% Off
French Old Master Antique Oil Painting For Restoration Figures Classical Landscp
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Figures in a Classical Landscape French School, 18th/ 19th century oil painting on copper, unframed copper: 4 x 5 inches provenance: private collection condition: the work has paint ...
Oil
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
$1,535Sale Price|20% Off
Naval Battle Engagement at Sea Large Busy Battle Scene Many Ships, Signed Oil
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
English School, early 20th century signed oil painting on canvas, unframed canvas: 17 x 24 inches provenance: private collection, Eng;and condition: good and sound condition, minor ...
Oil, Canvas
$9,238Sale Price|20% Off
Dionysus Ariadne Coypel Paint 17/18th Century Oil on canvas Old master France
Located in Riva del Garda, IT
Antoine Coypel (Paris 1661 - 1722) Workshop Idyll between Dionysus and Ariadne Oil on canvas 78x 101 cm In frame 97 x 120 cm This delightful composition illustrates the myt...
Oil
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 Rape of the Sabine Women is ...
Oil
$3,505Sale Price|20% Off
Fine Early 19th Century Classical Italian Oil Capriccio Lake Landscape Old Ruins
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
The Italian Landscape English artist, early 19th century circle/ follower of Joseph Mallord William Turner (British 1775-1851) oil on wood panel, framed in a delightful antique walnu...
Oil
$6,896Sale Price|20% Off
Huge Old Master Oil Painting 17th century Diana & Cupids in Panoramic Landscape
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Diana The Huntress and her Cherubs Northern European artist, circa 1680's period oil on canvas, unframed canvas: 20 x 60.5 inches provenance: private collection, UK condition: some p...
Oil
An Elegant Hawking Party, A Pair of Paintings
By August Querfurt
Located in Wiscasett, ME
A pair of old master paintings by August Querfurt (1696-1761). Oil on panel, one signed with initials in the lower left. Two scenes depicting hawking parties from the 18th century. I...
Oil
18th C French classical landscape with setting sun, figure, dog castle, Ruin
Located in Woodbury, CT
Attributed to Pierre-Henri de Valenciennes Landscape with Setting Sun Oil on canvas Circa 1790 Unsigned A finely composed and atmospheric late 18th-century landscape attributed to P...
Canvas, Oil
$1,184Sale Price|44% Off
Roman painter - 18th century Bambocciante landscape with travel scenes
Located in Varmo, IT
Roman painter (18th century) - Landscape with Wayfarers. 43.5 x 34.5 cm (without frame) - 58.5 x 49.5 cm (with frame). Oil on canvas, in carved and gilded wooden frame (not signed)...
Oil, Canvas
Two Arcadic Landscapes - J.F. Van Bloemen (follower of) - Oil on Canvas
By Jan Frans van Bloemen (Orizzonte)
Located in Roma, IT
Two Arcadic Landscapes are a couple of original oil paintings by a follower of the Flemish artist, Jan Frans Van Bloemen (1662-1749). These old master's original paintings represen...
Oil
17th century English Birds on a pond and in flight, Ducks, Swans, Kingfisher
By Francis Barlow
Located in Woodbury, CT
Studio of Francis Barlow, English, late 17th century Birds on a Pond with Waterfowl and Birds in Flight Oil on canvas Un-signed Presented in an antique English carved wood frame A f...
Canvas, Oil