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Portrait Paintings For Sale
Artist: Sax Berlin
Artist: Naoko Paluszak
La Grande Parisienne. Contemporary Figurative Oil Painting
Located in Brecon, Powys
When this beautiful piece was created Berlin had been staging a one man renaissance of the early 20th Century School of Paris. For 8 years in this wing of study he used the shapes of...
Category

2010s Contemporary Portrait Paintings

Materials

Marble

Eminem And The Man With The Billion Dollar Hand
Located in Brecon, Powys
Sax Berlin is currently working in the heat of a villa in the Spanish desert, his "billion dollar hands" creating pieces referencing cutting edge icons. This new work has such colour...
Category

2010s Neo-Expressionist Portrait Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

Blue Cigarette, Contemporary Figurative Oil Painting
Located in Brecon, Powys
Blue Cigarette - something of a departure in style for Berlin. This elegant, sophisticated lady is an interpretation on canvas of how he would create her in stained glass. 30" x 24"
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Portrait Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Clothed In Light, Abraham and Sarah
Located in Brecon, Powys
This majestic double portrait "Abraham and Sarah" is part of a series of paintings by breaking British artist, Sax Berlin. Inspired by the Bible and also by a commission to paint “Is...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Portrait Paintings

Materials

Gold Leaf

Longing, Contemporary Mixed Media Painting With Silver & Gold Leaf
Located in Brecon, Powys
From Sax Berlin's Silver Series this is a piece that portrays heart rending pathos. In this piece Sax has created beauty, emotion & tranquillity. A deeply moving, touching work.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Portrait Paintings

Materials

Gold Leaf

Gossamer Of Marble
Located in Brecon, Powys
A new offering from this hugely talented British artist. Using oil, silver leaf and crushed marble Sax Berlin has created an illusory work harking back to Greek mythology. The gossam...
Category

2010s Portrait Paintings

Materials

Oil

"The Guitarist." Contemporary Figurative Oil Painting
Located in Brecon, Powys
A piece of classical beauty painted in Sax Berlin's New York Studio in 1999. She's a study in muted tones, delicately rendered. Gentle, soft and mystical, The Guitarist is an enigmat...
Category

Early 2000s Contemporary Portrait Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

The Great Uncovering of the Face of God, Oil on canvas painting
Located in Brecon, Powys
The Great Uncovering Of God. A major work from Berlin and companion to his Certainty Of Eternity. Metaphysics and alchemy come together in this piece depicting emerging Bodhisattvas...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Portrait Paintings

Materials

Oil

"Lady". Contemporary Figurative Oil Painting
Located in Brecon, Powys
This piece from Berlin's studio dates back to 2003 but has only now been released. She's an a la mode young woman from the halcyon days of the Belle Epoque; confident and bewitching ...
Category

Early 2000s Renaissance Portrait Paintings

Materials

Marble

The Apostles Of The Archipelago Beyond Atlantis. Contemporary Oil Painting
Located in Brecon, Powys
The Apostles Of The Archipelago Beyond Atlantis. A masterful offering from Sax Berlin, beautiful women gazing out over the mythical landscape that was (we assume) the lost city state...
Category

Early 2000s Contemporary Portrait Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

"Classical Harlequin". Contemporary Figurative Oil Painting
Located in Brecon, Powys
Classical Harlequin - in this Harlequin painting Berlin shows his character barefaced and out of costume. The Harlequin is quiet and reflective in the foreground, however in the back...
Category

2010s Contemporary Portrait Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

The Guitarist: Contemporary Figurative Oil Painting
Located in Brecon, Powys
Maestro Sax Berlin took more years to complete his Guitarist than Picasso his and this painting is a juxtaposed image of the old, blind beggar. The Berlin Guitarist is vibrant in cre...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Portrait Paintings

Materials

Oil

Ragin' Against The Machine. Contemporary Figurative Painting
Located in Brecon, Powys
It's long believed that "the machine" is capitalism and the oppressive structures at the highest levels of society. Renegade artist Basquiat became drawn into this machine and became...
Category

2010s Neo-Expressionist Portrait Paintings

Materials

Gold Leaf

Several Shades Of Dust: Contemporary Figurative Oil Painting
Located in Brecon, Powys
Described by some as a masterpiece this is a deeply personal painting brought forth from the imagination of Sax Berlin. Many years in the creating, Berlin wanted this image to emerge...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Portrait Paintings

Materials

Oil

Michelangelo's Apprentice: Contemporary figurative oil painting by Sax Berlin
Located in Brecon, Powys
A boys face straight from the Renaissance down the centuries to the studio of Sax Berlin. Created in Medieval style this portrait could quite easily belong in the Uffizi collections ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Aesthetic Movement Portrait Paintings

Materials

Oil

Preparing For The Muse (Mark Rylance). Contemporary Figurative Painting
Located in Brecon, Powys
Portrait of actor Mark Rylance preparing for one of his earlier roles Gouache on Italian Slate in a contemporary Black frame.
Category

2010s Contemporary Portrait Paintings

Materials

Slate

"White Gold Lilies for the Dove of Peace" Contemporary Figurative Oil Painting
Located in Brecon, Powys
A masterwork from a master artist,White Gold Lilies for the Dove of Peace is an immaculate piece, pure colours balanced with earthy hues imbue the work with shades of sumptuous richness seldom found outside the great collections. Nuance and symbolism combine within the elements of this painting to create an artistic journey through antiquity; Japanese wood block design, the language of flowers, even the colours themselves combine so masterfully to complete the piece. In this large ground breaking painting Berlin has used bright vermillion & turquoise powered tones, volcanic glass and rock garnered from the slopes of Mount Vesuvius create texture and the use of the finest hand ground pigments and pure white gold leaf escalate this seminal piece to a higher plane. This magnificent painting offers the pinnacle of modern fine art...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Portrait Paintings

Materials

Gold Leaf

Pieta: Contemporary figurative oil painting by Sax Berlin
Located in Brecon, Powys
Inspired by the Shroud of Turin this stunning piece incorporates a singular technique on each section. A masterful and unique amalgamation of materials...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Portrait Paintings

Materials

Oil, Canvas

Cracked Buddha. Contemporary Buddha Painting
Located in Brecon, Powys
"Everything passes everything changes everything crumbles all is impermanent." A direct quotation from Master Artist Sax Berlin showing his belief in the impermanence and reincarnation of all things even the seemingly eternal Buddha. Sax Berlin is creating the Great 108 Buddhas series. The number 108 has sacred meaning for followers of the Buddhist faith. For example a Buddhist Mala...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Other Art Style Portrait Paintings

Materials

Oil

Lady Day
Located in Brecon, Powys
Homage to Billie Holliday. Created in his idiosyncratic New York City style Berlin, himself a keen jazz musician, pays tribute to one of the greatest jazz singers of all time, the legendary Billie Holliday. Nicknamed Lady Day...
Category

2010s Neo-Expressionist Portrait Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

Adonis The Beautiful. Contemporary Mixed Media Figurative Painting
Located in Brecon, Powys
Adonis The Beautiful. Oil and silver leaf on canvas. The effect of the silver leaf is mesmerizing, constantly changing with the light. The additional images show the painting at a sl...
Category

2010s Contemporary Portrait Paintings

Materials

Silver

Who Are These Angels CXVI
Located in San Francisco, CA

Artist Comments
This is Who Are These Angels CXVI, an original oil painting.

About the Artist
Naoko Paluszak began her career by...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Portrait Paintings

Materials

Oil

Classic Blue. Contemporary Figurative Oil Painting
Located in Brecon, Powys
Using his unique approach of layering diverse techniques Berlin creates the opportunity of "seeing into portraits". He offers a "portal into the creation of [an] enigma". The stunnin...
Category

2010s Contemporary Portrait Paintings

Materials

Oil, Canvas

Who Are These Angels CIII, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA

Artist Comments
This is "Who Are These Angels "CIII", an original oil painting on Gallery wrapped canvas. This large painting measures 36" x 36" x 1.5 inches. The sides are p...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Portrait Paintings

Materials

Oil

Who Are These Angels CXVIII
Located in San Francisco, CA

Artist Comments
This piece is number 118 from my Who are These Angels series.

About the Artist
Naoko Paluszak began her career b...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Portrait Paintings

Materials

Oil

Who Are These Angels CXV
Located in San Francisco, CA

Artist Comments
This is an original oil painting on gallery wrapped canvas.

About the Artist
Naoko Paluszak began her career by studying graphic design in Tokyo, followed by several years working as a designer, before switching to oil painting. Now located in the United States, Naoko continues to develop her style through different series of paintings that have varying degrees of abstraction. By bridging representational with non-representational forms, the artist seeks to stir personal memories and spark new narratives. “Art is about having a sense of mystery and drama,” she says. Naoko is also passionate about color. She mixes her paints based on the intuitive emotions that different colors can trigger within the viewer, and within herself.

Who Are These Angels...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Portrait Paintings

Materials

Oil

Nancy Sliwa, Guardian Of The Animals
Located in Brecon, Powys
His time in New York City has ingrained Berlin with the whole vibe of the culture that existed in the city at that time. He is so passionate when talking about it and the lasting eff...
Category

2010s Surrealist Portrait Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

Who Are These Angels XCIXVII
Located in San Francisco, CA

Artist Comments
This piece is from my Who are These Angels series. This piece is on gallery wrapped canvas and the painting continues aroun...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist Portrait Paintings

Materials

Oil

Street Smart: Contemporary Surrealist Portrait
Located in Brecon, Powys
His time in New York City has ingrained Berlin with the whole vibe of the culture that existed in the city at that time. He is so passionate when talking about it and the lasting eff...
Category

2010s Surrealist Portrait Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

Curtis Sliwa, Guardian Of The City
Located in Brecon, Powys
His time in New York City has ingrained Berlin with the whole vibe of the culture that existed in the city at that time. He is so passionate when talking about it and the lasting eff...
Category

2010s Surrealist Portrait Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

Who Are These Angels CIX
Located in San Francisco, CA

Artist Comments
This is Who Are These Angels CIX, an original oil painting on gallery wrapped canvas.

About the Artist
Naoko Pal...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Portrait Paintings

Materials

Oil

Who Are These Angels LXXXV
Located in San Francisco, CA

Artist Comments
This painting is number 85 from my series of mysterious figures titled Who Are These Angels. The piece is on a gallery wr...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Portrait Paintings

Materials

Oil

Who Are These Angels LXXI
Located in San Francisco, CA

Artist Comments
This piece is number 71 from my ;Who Are These Angels; series. This painting is on a gallery wrapped canvas with finished ...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Portrait Paintings

Materials

Oil

Imperious II
Located in San Francisco, CA

Artist Comments
This painting is on a gallery wrapped canvas with finished black edges. It comes ready to hang.

About the Artist
Naoko Paluszak began her career ...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Portrait Paintings

Materials

Oil

Who Are These Angels CVI, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA

Artist Comments
This is "Who Are These Angels CVI," an original oil painting on gallery wrapped canvas.


About the Artist
Naoko Paluszak began her career by ...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Portrait Paintings

Materials

Oil

Night
Located in Brecon, Powys
hand ground pigments on canvas
Category

2010s Contemporary Portrait Paintings

Materials

Oil, Canvas

The Quiet Forest
Located in San Francisco, CA

Artist Comments
This piece is made of oil paint on a gallery wrapped canvas with finished edges. It comes ready to hang.

About the Artist
Naoko Paluszak began her career by studying graphic design in Tokyo, followed by several years working as a designer, before switching to oil painting. Now located in the United States, Naoko continues to develop her style through different series of paintings that have varying degrees of abstraction. By bridging representational with non-representational forms, the artist seeks to stir personal memories and spark new narratives. “Art is about having a sense of mystery and drama,” she says. Naoko is also passionate about color. She mixes her paints based on the intuitive emotions that different colors can trigger within the viewer, and within herself.

The Quiet Forest...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Portrait Paintings

Materials

Oil

The Four Musea: Contemporary Figurative Oil Painting
Located in Brecon, Powys
Daughters of Zeus and Mnemosyne each of the nine Muses occupies a creative niche. The Four Muses; Calliope, Clio, Erato and Euterpe represent Epic Poetry, History, Lyric Choral Poetr...
Category

1990s Contemporary Portrait Paintings

Materials

Oil

Starman : Elon Musk and the Spiders from Mars. Contemporary Neo Expressionist
Located in Brecon, Powys
Life is never without a dull moment when you work with an artist whose creativity constantly develops, one awaits the next piece with eager anticipation. Sax Berlin certainly has a deep seated seam of creativity. This painting combines his passion for the cosmos, with a timely reference to Elon Musk...
Category

2010s Neo-Expressionist Portrait Paintings

Materials

Oil, Acrylic

Blue Harlequin. Contemporary Figurative Oil Painting
Located in Brecon, Powys
Blue Harleking - a beautiful piece from Berlins' Harleking series. This mesmerising painting is cooler and more sculptural in its construct. The sculptural quality & cooler palette d...
Category

2010s Contemporary Portrait Paintings

Materials

Oil

Young Vincent
Located in Brecon, Powys
A portrait of the artist long before his fractured life ended. Here we see the freshness & purity of the young van Gogh. An elemental lightness suffuses the piece in symbolic represe...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist Portrait Paintings

Materials

Oil

Obscure Visions Rise to Consciousness (Mind of the Poet)
Located in Brecon, Powys
Part of Sax Berlin's Silver Series; a portrait of a beautiful woman, she looks gentle and wise. Oil on canvas with pure gold and silver leaf. Quote from Sax Berlin "Obscure visions...
Category

Portrait Paintings

Shop Antique and Vintage Portrait Paintings

An elegant and sophisticated decorative touch in any living space, portrait paintings have remained popular throughout the years and are widely loved pieces of art for display in many homes today.

Portrait paintings are at least as old as ancient Egypt, where realistic, lifelike depictions of the recently deceased — commonly known as “mummy portraits” — were painted on wooden panels and affixed to mummies as part of the burial tradition.

For centuries, painters have used portraiture as a means of expressing a subject’s nobility, societal status and authority. Portraits were given as gifts in Renaissance Europe, and a portrait artist might have been commissioned to help mark a significant occasion such as a wedding or a promotion to high office. Prior to the advent of photography, which eventually replaced painted portraits as a quicker and more efficient way of capturing a person’s essence, the subject of a portrait had to sit for hours until the painter had finished. And during the 18th century in particular, if an artist commissioned for a portrait struggled with how to adequately memorialize and capture a subject’s likeness, sometimes a portrait painting wasn’t completed for up to a year.

Whether it’s part of the gallery-style approach to your living-room or dining-room walls or merely inspiration as you devise an eye-grabbing color scheme in your home, a portrait painting is a timeless decorative object for any interior. A landscape painting or sculpture might give you the kind of insight into a specific region of the world or a different culture that you can ascertain only through art. Similarly, when you take the time to learn about the subject of a portrait painting that you bring into your home — the sitter’s history, the relationship between the sitter and the artist should one exist, the story of how the portrait came to be — that work can become intensely personal in addition to its place as an object for an art-hungry corner of your apartment or house.

On 1stDibs, visit a vast collection of famous portrait paintings or works by emerging artists. Search by medium to find the right portrait paintings for your home in oil paint, synthetic resin paint and more. Find portrait paintings in a variety of styles, too, including contemporary, Impressionist and Pop art, or search by artist to find unique works created by painters such as Mark Beard, Steve Kaufman and Montse Valdés.

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