18th Century Paintings

Ornamental Flowers in a Classical Still Life Composition Italian School, circa 1780's period oil painting on canvas: 32 x 42 inches antique gilt frame: 38 x 48 inches condition: over...

18th-century Spanish Colonial School Attributed to Juan Pedro López (Caracas, Venezuela, 1724 - 1787) Saint Michael the Archangel Oil on canvas 91 x...

This stunning Italian Capriccio Old Master landscape oil painting is attributed to circle of Giovanni Paolo Panini. Painted circa 1740 it is a fantastic view of the Temple of Sibyl, ...

18th century oil on canvas chinoiserie scene painted 'en Camaïeu Bleu'. Originally part of a decorative scheme in a dining room as an overdoor set into panelling. Provenance: From ...

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...

Giacomo Guardi (Venice, 1764 - Venice, 1835) View of Venice with the Giudecca Canal and the Gesuati Church oil on canvas 34 x 42 cm. - framed 40 x 50 cm. Expertise dott Federica Sp...

Circle of Carlo Labruzzi A view of Lake Nemi Oil on canvas Canvas Size 26 3/8 x 40 1/2 in Framed Size 35 x 49 in Carlo Labruzzi was an Italian painter, draftsman, and engraver, best...

Portrait Of Lady Margaret Hasting, posing as a Shepherdess 18th Century CHARLES JERVAS (1675-1739) Large 18th Century portrait of Lady Margaret Hasting, oil on canvas, by Charles J...

Classic oil painting perfect for the holidays! Horses and hounds with riders in traditional red jackets with green fields, trees and a turquoise blue sky. The painting appears to be...

Indian Miniature

The painting, large in size and with a notable decorative impact, comes from an important private collection, divided between Rome and Paris, and depicts a rural episode set in a lat...

The splendour of the tragic sea Francesco Guardi and maritime painting in Venetian art No Venetian painter was a stranger to the sea. After all, Venice was not only one of the most prominent ports of the Mediterranean, but indeed a city literally submerged in the ocean from time to time. Curiously however, the famous Venetian school of painting showed little interest in maritime motifs, favouring scenes from the iconic architecture of the city rather than seascapes. That is why this painting is a particularly interesting window into not only the painter Francesco Guardi himself – but to the significance of the element of water in art history, in absence as well as in the centre of attention. Whether it be calm, sunny days with stunning views of the palaces alongside the canals of Venice or – more rarely – stormy shipwrecking tragedies at sea, water as a unifying element is integral to the works of painter Francesco Guardi (1712–1793). During his lifetime, Venetian art saw many of its greatest triumphs with names like Tiepolo or Canaletto gaining international recognition and firmly establishing Venice as one of the most vibrant artistic communities of Europe. While the city itself already in the 18th century was something of an early tourist spot where aristocrats and high society visited on their grand tour or travels, the artists too contributed to the fame and their work spread the image of Venice as the city of romance and leisure to an international audience, many of whom could never visit in person. Still today, the iconic image of Venice with its whimsical array of palaces, churches and other historic buildings is much influenced by these artists, many of whom have stood the test of time like very well and remain some of the most beloved in all of art history. It was not primarily subtility, intellectual meanings or moral ideals that the Venetian art tried to capture; instead it was the sheer vibrancy of life and the fast-paced city with crumbling palaces and festive people that made this atmosphere so special. Of course, Venice could count painters in most genres among its residents, from portraiture to religious motifs, history painting and much else. Still, it is the Vedutas and views of the city that seems to have etched itself into our memory more than anything else, not least in the tradition of Canaletto who was perhaps the undisputed master of all Venetian painters. Born into his profession, Francesco lived and breathed painting all his life. His father, the painter Domenico Guardi (1678–1716) died when Francesco was just a small child, yet both he and his brothers Niccolò and Gian Antonio continued in their fathers’ footsteps. The Guardi family belonged to the nobility and originated from the mountainous area of Trentino, not far from the Alps. The brothers worked together on more challenging commissions and supported each other in the manner typical of family workshops or networks of artists. Their sister Maria Cecilia married no other than the artist Giovanni Battista Tiepolo himself, linking the family to the most renowned Venetian name of the time. During almost a decade, Guardi worked in the studio of Michele Giovanni Marieschi, sometimes simply known as Michiel, a painted similar in both style and motif. Canaletto is, however, the artist Guardi is most often compared to since they shared a mutual fascination for depicting the architecture and cityscape of Venice. During the course of his career, Guardi tried his hand in many different genres. He was as swift in painting landscapes, Vedutas of Venice, sacred motifs, interiors and architectural compositions as he was in a number of other motifs. His style is typical of the Venetian school but also distinct and personal once we look a little closer. There is an absolute certainty in the composition, the choice of which sometimes feels like that of a carefully calculated photograph – yet it is also very painterly, in the best sense of the word: fluid, bold, sensitive and full of character. The brushwork is rapid, intense, seemingly careless and extraordinarily minute at the same time; fresh and planned in a very enjoyable mixture. His interiors often capture the breath-taking spacious glamour of the palaces and all their exquisite decor. He usually constructed the motif through remarkably simple, almost spontaneous yet intuitively precise strokes and shapes. The result was a festive, high-spirited atmospheric quality, far away from the sterile and exact likeness that other painters fell victim to when trying to copy Canaletto. The painting here has nothing of the city of Venice in it. On the contrary, we seem to be transported far away into the solitary ocean, with no architecture, nothing to hold on to – only the roaring sea and the dangerous cliffs upon which the ships are just moments away from being crushed upon. It is a maritime composition evoking both Flemish and Italian precursors, in the proud tradition of maritime painting that for centuries formed a crucial part of our visual culture. This genre of painting is today curiously overlooked, compared to how esteemed and meaningful it was when our relationship to the sea was far more natural than it is today. When both people and goods travelled by water, and many nations and cities – Venice among them – depended entirely on sea fare, the existential connection to the ocean was much more natural and integrated into the imagination. The schools and traditions of maritime art are as manifold as there are countries connected to the sea, and all reflect the need to process the dangers and wonders of the ocean. It could symbolize opportunity, the exciting prospects of a new countries and adventures, prospering trade, beautiful scenery as well as war and tragedy, loss of life, danger and doom. To say that water is ambivalent in nature is an understatement, and these many layers were something that artists explored in the most wondrous ways. Perhaps it takes a bit more time for the modern eye to identify the different nuances and qualities of historic maritime paintings, they may on first impression seem hard to differentiate from each other. But when allowing these motifs to unfold and tell stories of the sea in both fiction and reality – or somewhere in between – we are awarded with an understanding of how the oceans truly built our world. In Guardi’s interpretation, we see an almost theatrically arranged shipwrecking scene. No less than five ships are depicted right in the moment of utter disaster. Caught in a violent storm, the waves have driven them to a shore of sharp cliffs and if not swallowed by the waves, crushing against the cliffs seems to be the only outcome. The large wooden ships are impressively decorated with elaborate sculpture, and in fact relics already during Guardi’s lifetime. They are in fact typical of Dutch and Flemish 17th century ships, giving us a clue to where he got the inspiration from. Guardi must have seen examples of Flemish maritime art, that made him curious about these particular motifs. One is reminded of Flemish painters like Willem van de Velde and Ludolf Backhuysen, and this very painting has indeed been mistakenly attributed to Matthieu van Plattenberg...

Swans Startled by Dog Flemish Old Master, 18th century unsigned (as is typical of the period) oil on bevelled wood panel, framed framed: 14.5 x 17 inches panel: 10 x 13 inches proven...

This simply stunning German 18th century Old Master oil painting is by noted artist C.L. Braun, signed lower right on the table edge. It was painted circa 1780 and has the look of a...

Together with his son Pietro Neri, Andrea Scacciati was active at the Medici court and is well known for his still lifes with flowers. His works display both Roman and northern influ...

French master (18th century) - Samson and Delilah. 81 x 119 cm without frame, 99 x 137 cm with frame. Antique oil painting on canvas, in antique carved wooden frame. Condition rep...

Portrait of William Wellesley-Pole, 3rd Earl Of Mornington, circa 1800 Circle of Sir Thomas LAWRENCE (1769-1830) Large circa 1800 English Regency portrait traditionally identified ...

Thomas Stringer (1722-1790) A groom with a saddled bay hunter and dogs, in an extensive landscape Dated 1754 lower left Oil on canvas Unframed size 25 x 36 in Framed size 31 x 42 in ...

Portrait of Arab Man in Turban French artist, 18th century oil on canvas, framed Framed: 21 x 16.5 inches Canvas : 18.5 x 14 inches Provenance: private collection, France Condition: ...

Greek icon Oil on wood, gold background 18th / 19th century

Jacob Fabris (Venice, 1689 - 1761) Architectural Capriccio with ancient classical ruins Oil on canvas cm. 56 x 112 with frame cm. 77 x 130 Expertise of Prof. Emilio Negro (Bologna) ...

The Virgin Mary, oil on panel Italian School Large antique Italian School depiction of the Virgin Mary, oil on panel. Excellent quality and condition study of the Virgin facing lef...

Thomas Gooch (1750-1802) 'Waggoner', a greyhound in a landscape Signed and dated 'T. Gooch 1799' lower right Oil on canvas Painting Size - 14 x 17 1/2 in ...

French painter (18th century) - Flute player and dog. 43.5 x 35 cm without frame, 54 x 45 cm with frame. Antique oil painting on canvas, in a carved and gilded wooden frame. Condi...

Second half of the 18th century, follower of François Boucher Odalisque Oil on canvas, 75 x 125 cm Framed, 124 x 152 cm In the 18th century, French artist François Boucher did no...

A captivating Dutch genre painting in the manner of Pieter de Hooch (1629-1684). A couple can be seen taking tea together in a roomy interior with afternoon light flooding in from a ...

Circle of George Stubbs The Lions Den Oil on canvas Canvas Size 11 x 14 1/2 in Framed Size 17 x 21 in George Stubbs, one of the most celebrated animal painters of the 18th century, ...

This stunning Old Master oil painting is attributed to a follower of Anthony Van Dyck. Painted in the 18th century it is a superb large religious art work...

James Ward, an 18th-century English artist, captures a serene and intimate scene in his oil painting Mare and Foal in a Stable Interior. This work embodies Ward's expertise in portra...

Muy interesante ÓLEO SOBRE CRISTAL, representando a una Virgen con Niño, de finales del siglo XVIII principios del XIX. Escuela colonial, va con un fino marco de madera dorada al oro...

Late 18th Century pastel portrait on paper of a bearded gentleman. Presented under glass in a fine period gilded carved wood frame. A cha...

Justus Juncker (1703-1763, Germany) Attributed to Scholar Sharpening His Quill Penn Expertise: We would like to thank Dr. Fred G Meijer for his valuab...

Classical Still Life of Fruit in Basket with other objects Italian artist, 18th century oil on canvas, unframed canvas: 24.5 x 33 inches provenance: private collection, UK condition:...

Early historical portrait in the style of William Aikman believed to be of David Carnegie, 4th Earl of Northesk, a Scottish peer and politician. The work features the central figure ...

Francesco Fontebasso (Venice 1709 - Venice 1769) Alexander the Great grants clemency to the Persians Oil on canvas 108 x 153 cm. In frame 120 x 164 cm. Fascinating for its interest...

Elaborate Floral Arrangement French artist, 18th Century oil on canvas, framed Framed: 27 x 34 inches Canvas: 22 x 29 inches Provenance: private collection, England Condition: very...

Circle of Thomas Hudson (1701-1779) British. 18th Century Bust Portrait of a Lady, Oil on Canvas, Inscribed on a label verso, canvas: 30" x 25" (76.2 x 63.5cm). frame: 30 x 25 in...

Italian painter (early 18th century) - Four Evangelists. 25.5 x 19 cm without frame, 29 x 22.5 cm with frame. Ancient oil painting on panel. in wooden frames. Condition report: In...

This delightful portrait is set within an ornate gilded frame featuring intricate scrollwork and floral motifs. The young gentleman is well dressed in a fashionable brown coat and cr...

Gaspare Diziani (Belluno 1689 - Venice 1767) Portrait of a Young Princess (Salome?) Oil on canvas 42 x 33 cm Framed 70 x 63 cm A charming portrait of a beautiful young woman with ...

Venetian painter (18th century) - Turkish nobles with parrot and musician. 43.5 x 63.5 cm without frame, 50 x 70 cm with frame. Antique oil painting...

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...

Portrait of a woman with red jacket trimmed with fur and braid German School, late 18th - early 19th century Oil on canvas, 64 × 48 cm Gilded wooden frame, not original Dressed in a...

Attributed to Francis Swaine (British, 1725–1782) Naval Engagement at Sea, 18th century Oil on panel In this evocative seascape, a cluster of ships—flags raised, cannons fired—conve...

This delightful portrait is set within an ornate gilded frame featuring intricate scrollwork and floral motifs. The young gentleman is well dressed in a fashionable brown coat and cr...

This superb large three quarter length British Old Master portrait in a landscape oil painting is attributed to circle of John Vanderbank the Younger. Painted circa 1738 the sitter is Mrs James Hoste of South Wootton and Sandringham, nee Hammond. She was the daughter of Anthony Hamond and Susan Walpole, daughter of Robert Walpole, and was sister to Robert, 1st Earl of Oxford. She married Major James Hoste of Sandringham, Norfolk, and they had two daughters. The sheen of her blue satin dress against her gold cloak is stunning. A really lovely 18th century portrait with excellent provenance. Inscribed with sitter details lower left. Provenance. By descent within the family of the sitter at West Acre High House, Norfolk; Cheffins, Cambridge, 'West Acre High House' sale, 24 November 2010, Lot 519; Wood Hall, Arkesden, Essex. Literature: 'Portraits in Norfolk Houses', Prince Duleep Singh, 1927, No. 36. Sitter's details on two labels verso. Condition. Oil on canvas, image size is 50 inches by 40 inches and in good condition. Frame. Housed in an ornate gilt frame, 58 inches by 48 inches framed and in good condition. John Vanderbank (1694-1739) was an English portraitist and book illustrator, who enjoyed a high reputation for a short while during the reign of King George...

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...

A fine, large 18th century veduta capriccio scene with temple ruins after Gennaro Greco from the circle of Pietro Cappelli. The painting is presented in a more modern carved gilt woo...

This early 18th-century oil painting attributed to Austrian artist, Franz de Paula Ferg (1689-1740), depicts the Commedia dell’Arte performing in a busy Italian village square. Ferg ...

‘The British Fleet with a Vice-Admiral of the Red off Dover’ by Dominic Serres R.A. (1722-1793). French-born Dominic Serres didn’t just paint the drama of...

18th century silk embroidered art work. Depicting children and fairy tales. It is very rare for works from this time period to depict a black...

Portrait of a Noble Lady European School, 18th century oil on canvas, framed framed: 37.5 inches canvas: 30 x 24.5 inches provenance: private collection, France condition: very good ...

Antique Italian painting from the second half of the 18th century. Artwork oil on canvas depicting a portrait of a young girl, Princess with parrot, of good pictorial quality. Painti...

A very fine portrait of a British military officer signed and dated Thomas Beach 1774 in the lower left. This oil on canvas is presented in a period gilt frame and is ready to hang. ...

Portrait Of Elizabeth Plumer (nee Byde) & Daughter, circa 1735 by ENOCH SEEMAN (1694-1744) Large 1735 portrait of Elizabeth Plumer & her daughter holding a rattle, oil on canvas by...

Hyacinthe RIGAUD (Perpignan 1659 - Paris 1743) School of Portrait of a gentleman in armour: Monsieur Jean Francois Raymond de Lasbordes, Regimental Officer of the Landes, as well ...

Italian painter (18th century) - Saint Monica in prayer. 56 x 32 cm. Antique oil painting on canvas, without frame. Condition report: Good state of conservation of the pictorial s...

John Ferneley Snr (1782-1860 Melton Mowbray) Sir Richard Sutton's foxhounds signed J. Ferneley lower right Oil on canvas Canvas Size 16 1/8 x 20 1/2 in Framed Size 21 x 25 in Proven...