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Portrait Paintings For Sale
Period: 1950s
Period: 18th Century
'The Market Seller in Nice' French Vintage Gouache Painting
Located in London, GB
'The Market Seller in Nice', gouache on paper, by Alfred Salvignol (circa 1950s). The role of women as support to their families has been both very important and highly undervalued b...
Category
1950s Modern Portrait Paintings
Materials
Paper, Gouache
Self-Portrait - Royal Academy Founding Member, 18th Century
Located in London, GB
Francis Hayman RA
1708–1776
Self-Portrait
Oil on oak panel
Image size: 8 x 6¼ inches
Contemporary gilt frame
This newly discovered work is the earliest known self portrait by Francis Hayman, dated to the mid to late 1720’s. The small scale of the portrait gives it a strong sense of intimacy. Whereas clients would often dress themselves in their best clothes for a sitting, Hayman has portrayed himself in informal attire, with his shirt unbuttoned and a wig cap.
Born in 1708 to a respectable Devonshire family, his training began at the tender age of ten under the tutelage of the historical painter Robert Brown, who was probably an uncle. By the 1730’s he is known to have been engaged in painting scenery for the popular theatres on Goodman’s Fields and Drury Lane. He established a studio on St Martin’s Lane, and demonstrated his versatility as one of the most
important painters of his time in portraits, illustration and history painting.
Indeed, he was one of the first English painters deemed to have the skill and proficiency to rival that of the foreign masters, such as Holbein and Kneller, who were brought in by the court to make up for the perceived shortcomings of the native artists. Led by William Hogarth, Hayman and other artists began to create a new movement in the English art world. Thomas Gainsborough was one of his pupils, whom he is said to have introduced to the more lascivious and debauched underbelly of London life.
After mostly making his living as an illustrator, in the 1740’s Hayman was commissioned by the proprietor of the Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens, Jonathan Tyers, to produce a series of four large celebratory canvases depicting British victories from the Seven Years War. His association with Tyers continued, and over the next ten years he produced a number of large decorative paintings...
Category
18th Century Old Masters Portrait Paintings
Materials
Oak, Oil Pastel
17th-18th Century By Benedetto Luti Head of a Girl Oil Pastel on Canvas
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Benedetto Luti (Florence, Italy, 1666 - Rome, Italy, 1724)
Title: Head of a Girl
Medium: Oil pastel on canvas
Dimensions: without frame 28 x 23.5 cm - with frame 38.5 x 33.5 cm
Orig...
Category
18th Century Old Masters Portrait Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil Pastel
La Baloneuse Framed Signed Painting
By Emile Wegelin
Located in Rochester Hills, MI
Emile Wegelin: Capturing the Essence of Nature.
Painting on Hardboard
Size-Width Size-Height: 32'' x 25''
Signed in Ink
Emile Wegelin (1875-1962) devoted his life to paintin...
Category
1950s Post-Impressionist Portrait Paintings
Materials
Acrylic
Seated figure "Gong Hill Border of Tanganyika - Kenya"
Located in Genève, GE
Oil on wood
Golden wooden frame
84.5 x 73.5 x 6.5 cm
Category
1950s Portrait Paintings
Materials
Oil
Venetian Rococò painter - 18th century mask figure painting - Colombina Carnival
Located in Varmo, IT
Venetian master (18th century) - Mask of Colombina.
161 x 68 cm without frame, 169.5 x 76.5 cm with frame.
Antique oil painting on canvas, in a white lacquered wooden frame.
Condi...
Category
Late 18th Century Rococo Portrait Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Young girl in pink toilet
Located in Genève, GE
Work on canvas
Category
18th Century Portrait Paintings
Materials
Oil
Oil On Canvas Self Portrait of the artist Sir Anthony Van Dyck 18Th c
Located in Gavere, BE
"Oil On Canvas Self Portrait After Sir Anthony Van Dyck"
Follower of Sir Anthony van Dyck (Flemish painter, 1599-1641), Self portrait Oil on canvas (doubled),
Probably end 18th centu...
Category
Late 18th Century Baroque Portrait Paintings
Materials
Gold Leaf
Important 18th Century Pastel Portrait Painting Young Girl John Russell RA 1789
By John Russell
Located in Portland, OR
An important authenticated & documented 18th century portrait by John Russell R A (1745-1809), England, signed & dated 1789.
This rather charming & sensitive portrait of a young girl...
Category
1780s English School Portrait Paintings
Materials
Oil Pastel
The Banana Plantation Guadeloupe II
Located in London, GB
'The Banana Plantation Guadeloupe II', oil on canvas, by Robert Humblot (1959). The second in a series of artworks completed in 1959 when the artist vis...
Category
1950s Portrait Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Portrait of a Man by Swedish Artist Martin Eder, 1954, Gouache on Masonite
By Martin Eder
Located in Stockholm, SE
Martin Eder was a Swedish drawing teacher, artist and ceramicist. Martin was born on the island of Gotland and spent a lot of time there, he also lived in Sala. Martin was a curious ...
Category
1950s Expressionist Portrait Paintings
Materials
Masonite, Gouache
Mid Century Modern Portrait of a Man in a Suit in Oil on Masonite
By Honora Berg
Located in Soquel, CA
Mid Century Modern Portrait of a Man in a Suit in Oil on Masonite
Mid Century Modern portrait of an older man by Honora Berg (American, 1897-1985). This portrait is made of layers o...
Category
1950s Post-Impressionist Portrait Paintings
Materials
Oil, Masonite
Flamenco
By Ron Blumberg
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Presenting an magnificent original oil on panel by American artist Ron Blumberg (1908-2002)
Flamenco, is an original oil on panel, signed, c.1955, with an image dimension of 12 x 9 ...
Category
1950s Post-Impressionist Portrait Paintings
Materials
Oil
Cubist Abstract VI, Contemporary Oil Painting by Female Artist Miriam Bromberg
Located in Long Island City, NY
Cubist Abstract VI
Miriam Bromberg
Oil on Canvas
Size: 24 x 40 in. (60.96 x 101.6 cm)
Category
1950s Cubist Portrait Paintings
Materials
Oil
1950's Mid Century modern oil portrait of a nude woman laying on a bed
Located in Woodbury, CT
Well painted 1950's mid-century modern English portrait of a nude woman laying on a bed.
The artist was a portrait and figure painter active during the 1950s-1960s
Oils on artists ...
Category
1950s Abstract Impressionist Portrait Paintings
Materials
Oil, Panel
Surrealist Portrait - Original OIl Paint on paper, SIGNED
By Simon Hantaï
Located in Paris, IDF
Simon HANTAI
Surrealist Portrait, 1950
Original OIl Paint on paper
Signed and dated in the upper right corner
On paper 34 x 24 cm (c. 14 x 10 in)
Created for the artist exhibition a...
Category
1950s Abstract Portrait Paintings
Materials
Oil
18th Century Oil on Canvas French Neoclassical Painting, 1780
Located in Vicoforte, IT
Great neoclassical French painting from the second half of the 18th century. Oil on canvas artwork depicting a splendid female figure with a trompe-l'oeil effect. The technique used ...
Category
1780s Portrait Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Portrait of a Lady
Located in London, GB
Pastel
Image size: 20 1/2 x 17 inches
Early 20th Century carved and gilt Italian frame
Provenance
Private collection in New Jersey
This eye-catching portrait captures a wealthy lad...
Category
18th Century Portrait Paintings
Materials
Oil Pastel
Rabbi Reading by Candlelight, Oil Painting by Abraham Straski, 1959
Located in Long Island City, NY
Rabbi Reading by Candlelight (6-F)
Abraham Straski, Polish (1903–1987)
Date: 1959
Oil on Canvas, signed and dated
Size: 23 x 19 in. (58.42 x 48.26 cm)
Fr...
Category
1950s Post-War Portrait Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Wood, Oil
18th - 19th C. Portrait Painting After Petrus Staverenus
Located in San Francisco, CA
18th-19th C. Portrait Painting After Petrus Staverenus depicting man with bottle
Oil on canvas
No visible signature
Wax seal on verso
11" x 14"
Category
18th Century Portrait Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
18th Century Oil on Canvas Italian Religious Painting Virgin of Sorrows, 1770
Located in Vicoforte, IT
Antique Italian painting from the second half of the 18th century. Religious painting depicting the Virgin of Sorrows, of excellent pictorial quality. Oil on canvas framework recentl...
Category
1770s Portrait Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
1950's Mid Century modern oil portrait of a nude woman laying on a bed
Located in Woodbury, CT
1950's Mid Century modern oil portrait of a nude woman laying on a bed
The artist was a portrait and figure painter active during the 1950s-1960s
...
Category
1950s Abstract Impressionist Portrait Paintings
Materials
Oil, Panel
Guinovart. Thoughtful Man Black and White. drawing on cardboard
Located in CORAL GABLES - MIAMI, FL
Guinovart. Thoughtful man. black and white. drawing on cardboard
Josep Guinovart i Bertran (Barcelona 1927-2007) was a painter, draftsman and engraver from Catalonia, Spain.
After ...
Category
1950s Abstract Portrait Paintings
Materials
Mixed Media
1950's Mid Century modern English oil portrait, two women in a artists studio
Located in Woodbury, CT
1950's Mid Century modern English oil portrait, two women in an artists studio
The artist was a portrait and figure painter active during the 1950s-1960s
Great use of color and abstract brush strokes...
Category
1950s Abstract Impressionist Portrait Paintings
Materials
Oil, Panel
"Joni" - Mid Century Modern Portrait of a Girl in Yellow Dress in Oil on Canvas
Located in Soquel, CA
"Joni" - Portrait of a Girl in a Yellow Dress in Oil on Canvas
Skillful portrait of a young girl by Morris Zirlin (American, 1913-1990). A young girl with wide brown eyes poses for ...
Category
1950s Modern Portrait Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil, Stretcher Bars
The couple - Oil on wood 38x49 cm
Located in Geneva, CH
Work on wood
New wooden frame with golden patina
59,5 x 47,5 x 3,5 cm
Illegible signature
Category
1950s Cubist Portrait Paintings
Materials
Oil
Religious figurative drawing of 18th century male portrait on parchment
Located in Florence, IT
This small portrait, from an important Florentine collection, (unframed 14x10 cm.) is signed and dated on the lower edge "Io(hannes) Baptista Scarlattius Rondinelli Fecit Anno 1754."...
Category
18th Century Rococo Portrait Paintings
Materials
Parchment Paper, Tempera, Watercolor
The harlequin and the rooster - Oil on wood 35x49 cm
Located in Geneva, CH
Work on wood
New wooden frame with golden patina
58,5 x 45 x 3,5 cm
Illegible signature
Category
1950s Expressionist Portrait Paintings
Materials
Oil
Framed Polish Rabbi, Realist Oil Painting by Abraham Straski
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Abraham Straski, Polish (1903 - 1987)
Title: Untitled - Polish Rabbi
Year: 1952
Medium: Oil on Canvas, signed l.r.
Image Size: 16 x 12 inches
Frame Size: 26 x 20 inches
Category
1950s Post-War Portrait Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Painting Female Portrait 18th century
Located in Milan, IT
Oil on Canvas. Central European school of the 18th century.
The distinguished lady, flaunting a dress embellished with bows and lace, is seated at her desk and holding a letter; in t...
Category
18th Century Other Art Style Portrait Paintings
Materials
Oil
Young Girl with a Basket of Fruit
By Jean-Baptiste Greuze
Located in Paris, Île-de-France
French School, late 18th century, circle of Jean-Baptiste Greuze (1725–1805)
Young Girl with a Basket of Fruit
Oil on canvas, preparatory work, 39 x 31 cm
Provenance:
Private colle...
Category
1790s Old Masters Portrait Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Girl with fruit. Market. Year 1958. Signed Sergio Cirno Bissi (1902 - 1987)
Located in Firenze, IT
Girl with fruit. Market. Year 1958. Signed Sergio Cirno Bissi (Carmignano, 1902 - Florence, 1987).
The very colorful and expressive painting is created...
Category
1950s Post-Impressionist Portrait Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Woman portrait. 1955, oil on canvas, 50.8 x 40.6 cm
Located in Riga, LV
Woman portrait. 1955, oil on canvas, 50.8 x 40.6 cm
Elegant woman portrait with scarf
Category
1950s Impressionist Portrait Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
"Die Sängerin, " Dorothea Stefula, illustration, acrylic, figurative, ca 1950-60
By Dorothea Stefula
Located in Wiscasset, ME
Dorothea Stefula was born in Hamburg, Germany in 1914 and studied at the art academy in Hamburg. Stefula illustrated numerous children's books, designed postage stamps, painted fresc...
Category
1950s Modern Portrait Paintings
Materials
Acrylic
"Mexican Interior Scene Scene with Figures and Fish" Expressionistic Style
Located in New York, NY
A strong modernist oil painting depicted in the Mid Century by Russian painter Michael Baxte. Mostly known for his abstracted figures on canvas or street scenes, this piece is a wond...
Category
1950s Expressionist Portrait Paintings
Materials
Oil, Masonite
Marvin Cherney Portrait "Seated Girl" Oil on Canvas
Located in Detroit, MI
SALE ONE WEEK ONLY
"Seated Girl" is an oil on canvas portrait of an artist who was cut down in his prime and largely forgotten until recently. Marvin Cherney's paintings are solemn but unsophisticated in his subjects. He deploys a more limited range of greyed colors in order to emotionalize his subject and heighten the mood of their isolation. This painting was one of the thirteen that was exhibited at Garelick's Gallery in Detroit from January 8th through January 21st in 1961. The painting is 34.75 x 22.5 inches unframed.
Marvin Cherney was born in Baltimore, Maryland in 1925. He attended the Maryland Institute of Art and the School for Art Studies in New York. After his graduation he began to travel around Europe before returnig to New York.
Cherney won 2 Tiffany Awards and Brooklyn Museum Prize and his work has been exhibited at the National Academy of Design, The Art Institute of Chicago, Brooklyn Museum, Audubon Artists, University of Nebraska, Silvermine Artists Guild, Butler Art Institute, Ringling Museum, Howard University...
Category
1950s Portrait Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Modern Surrealist Painting by Richard Ericson
Located in New York, NY
Richard Joseph Ericson (American, 1922-2010)
Untitled, 1950
Oil on canvas
36 x 25 in.
Signed lower right: RJE '50
Richard Joseph Ericson (b. October 22, 1922-d. November 21, 2010), born in Chicago, Illinois. Son of Claire (b. 1899) and Arthur Ericson (b. 1899). His father was an accountant for a food products company and the family moved to Mount Vernon, Westchester County, New York, when he was a young child.
Ericson, a twin, first began to draw at age five and took up painting in oils at age twelve. He studied at the Art Students League in New York City in 1941, where he received an honorable mention during the annual scholarship competition held that year. During this period he worked as a commercial artist.
After America's entry in World War II Ericson enlisted in the Army in 1942, where he served as a warrant officer. He saw service in North Africa, France, and Germany. While overseas, he did many drawings of the places in which he was stationed. He eventually found himself guarding Italian prisoners of war who had been captured in Sicily and southern Italy. While performing his duties during 1943 and 1944 he found time to paint several important, large scale portraits of the prisoners who were happy to pose for him. As the war concluded he was able to visit Holland to study.
After nearly three years overseas, Ericson returned to America and traveled back to his home town of Chicago where he furthered his studies at the Art Institute of Chicago.
He married in 1948 and moved his young family to Mexico, where he attended Mexico City College. He studied art and exhibited while living there, receiving his Master of Arts degree, cum laude, in 1953.
For a time after his return to the United States he taught art in Dutchess County, New York, where he and his wife built their own house by hand. Eventually the family, which would come to include seven sons, settled in Hicksville, Long Island, New York. Ericson joined the staff of Hicksville High School as the art teacher in 1962, a position he would hold until his retirement in 1983.
As a teacher, Ericson was open to all fields and styles of art, constantly experimenting and experiencing new forms and styles. He had started printmaking in the late 1940's and continued to work in this medium for many years, producing mezzotints, etchings, and wood block prints. He also continued to paint, creating portraits, scenes in southern Dutchess County, and Long Island landscapes - for which he would become well known.
Ericson grew to love the area in which he lived, and depicted it quite often in his paintings. He became enamored with the historic village of Cold Spring Harbor...
Category
1950s Surrealist Portrait Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
17th-18th Century By Benedetto Luti Head of a Girl Oil Pastel on Canvas
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Benedetto Luti (Florence, Italy, 1666 - Rome, Italy, 1724)
Title: Head of a Girl
Medium: Oil pastel on canvas
Dimensions: without frame 28 x 23.5 cm - with frame 38.5 x 33.5 cm
Orig...
Category
18th Century Old Masters Portrait Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil Pastel
'Young Woman', Mid-Century Chinoiserie Portrait, Laughing Buddha, Tea Ceremony
Located in Santa Cruz, CA
Signed lower right, 'Sanchez Palacio' (Latin-American, 20th Century) and dated 1950.
Category
1950s Portrait Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
The Hunter - Oil Painting - 1952
Located in Roma, IT
The hunter is a modern artwork realized by a european artist in 1952.
Mixed colored oil on plywood.
Includes frame:34.5 x 3 x 26.5
Monogrammed "GV" and datet 1952 on the lower lef...
Category
1950s Neo-Expressionist Portrait Paintings
Materials
Oil
Portrait of a French lady by Robert Le Vrac Tournieres, circa 1725
Located in PARIS, FR
Portrait of a young Lady
Robert Le Vrac Tournières (1667-1752)
18th century French school, circa 1725
Oil on canvas
Dimensions: h. 81 cm, w. 65 cm
Important 18th century Régence per...
Category
Early 18th Century Old Masters Portrait Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
1950's Mid Century modern oil portrait of a nude black woman seated on a chair
Located in Woodbury, CT
1950's Mid Century modern oil portrait of a nude black woman seated on a chair
The artist was a portrait and figure painter active during the 1950s-1...
Category
1950s Abstract Impressionist Portrait Paintings
Materials
Oil, Panel
Family Portrait, Large Surrealist Oil Painting Mother, Children, Neo Surrealism
Located in Surfside, FL
Hank Laventhol (1927–2001) was an American painter and master print maker. He worked in painting, graphics, sculpture and photography. Associated with ...
Category
1950s Surrealist Portrait Paintings
Materials
Oil, Board
Basking in the Sun - Mid Century Modern Multicolor Female Figurative
Located in Soquel, CA
Multi-colored figurative oil painting of a woman in bikini bathing in the California sun by listed California artist Jon Blanchette (American, 1908-1987). The colorful background is...
Category
1950s American Impressionist Portrait Paintings
Materials
Masonite, Oil
Painter's family. Oil on cardboard, 50x79, 5 cm
Located in Riga, LV
Painter's family (Ed. Kalnins). Oil on cardboard, 50x79,5 cm
Category
1950s Cubist Portrait Paintings
Materials
Oil, Cardboard
Red Women - like Gertrude Abercrombie - Surrealist Women Artists
By Lorraine Fox
Located in Miami, FL
Somewhat like Gertrude Abercrombie but the work is better painted, conceived, and designed - Magazine Illustration. Most likely for: Good Housek...
Category
1950s Post-Impressionist Portrait Paintings
Materials
Gouache
Mid Century Portrait of Wine Enologist Claude Wolf
Located in Soquel, CA
Wine Enologist Claude Wolf - Mid Century Portrait
A stately mid-century portrait of Claude Wolf (1904-1973), a vintner Enologist by Abel George Warshawsky...
Category
1950s Photorealist Portrait Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Portrait of a Young Boy Thomas Wagstaff - Scottish art 18th century oil painting
Located in London, GB
This superb late 18th century portrait oil painting is attributed to noted Scottish artist Alexander Nasmyth. Painted circa 1790 the sitter is of the Wagstaff family, either Thomas o...
Category
18th Century Old Masters Portrait Paintings
Materials
Oil
Young Man, Expressionist Portrait by Philadelphia Artist
Located in Doylestown, PA
"Young Man" is an oil on canvas portrait painting by Philadelphia born Expressionist painter Bernard Harmon. The painting is 26" x 36" in size, signed on the lower right. Figurative ...
Category
1950s Expressionist Portrait Paintings
Materials
Oil, Canvas
Venetian Rococò painter - 18th century mask figure painting - Pantalone Carnival
Located in Varmo, IT
Venetian master (18th century) - Mask of Pantalone.
161 x 68 cm without frame, 169.5 x 76.5 cm with frame.
Antique oil painting on canvas, in a white lacquered wooden frame.
Condi...
Category
Late 18th Century Rococo Portrait Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Arlequin - Huile sur toile, 60x50 cm., encadré
Located in Nice, FR
Oeuvre de l'artiste française de Banguy. Huile sur toile. exécuté au milieu des années 50.
Un arlequin similaire a été acquis par la Ville de Paris.
En...
Category
1950s Post-Impressionist Portrait Paintings
Materials
Oil
Portrait of a Gentleman, 18th Century Oil Painting
By Anton von Maron
Located in London, GB
Oil on canvas
Image size: 20 x 24 inches (51 x 61 cm)
Period gilt frame
This is a half-length portrait of a gentleman wearing a emerald coat and intricately designed waistcoat, dat...
Category
1760s Portrait Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Rabbi with Torah, Oil Painting by Abraham Straski 1950
Located in Long Island City, NY
Rabbi with Torah
Abraham Straski, Polish (1903–1987)
Date: 1950
Oil on Canvas on Wood, signed and dated
Size: 16 x 12 in. (40.64 x 30.48 cm)
Frame Size: 19.5 x 15.5 inches
Category
1950s Post-War Portrait Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil, Wood
Woman portrait. 1955, oil on canvas, 50.8 x 40.6 cm
Located in Riga, LV
Woman portrait. 1955, oil on canvas, 50.8 x 40.6 cm
Provenance Bonhams
Category
1950s Expressionist Portrait Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Óleo sobre tela - Retrato de niño
Located in Sant Celoni, ES
La obra va firmada por el artista en la parte inferior
El estado de conservación es bueno
Se presenta enmarcada la obra (el marco presenta algunos signos de uso)
Medidas de la obr...
Category
1950s Impressionist Portrait Paintings
Materials
Oil
At the autumn garden. Oil on cardboard, 80 x 57 cm
Located in Riga, LV
At the autumn garden. Oil on cardboard, 80x57 cm
Janis Rikmanis (1901.5.IV – 1968.25.III)
graduated Figurative painting studio of Latvia Art academy (1931).
He took part in exhibiti...
Category
1950s Expressionist Portrait Paintings
Materials
Oil, Cardboard
Portrait of Sonia, Oil Painting by Jan De Ruth c1950
By Jan De Ruth
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Jan De Ruth, Czech (1922 - 1991)
Title: Portrait of Sonia Berg
Year: circa 1950
Medium: Oil on Canvas, signed l.l.
Size: 24 in. x 20 in. (60.96 cm x 50.8 cm)
Frame Size: 33 x...
Category
1950s American Impressionist Portrait Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Gypsy woman. 1959., oil on cardboard, 48x37 cm
Located in Riga, LV
Gypsy woman. 1959., oil on cardboard, 48x37 cm
Alfejs Bromults (1913.3.IV - 1991.11.I)
His first professional education was at National University at studies to R.Suta, J. Bine and...
Category
1950s Realist Portrait Paintings
Materials
Oil, Cardboard
Portrait Paintings for Sale on 1stDibs
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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