18th Century and Earlier Portrait Paintings

Oil on canvas Image size: 28 3/4 x 24 inches (73 x 61 cm) Contemporary style gilt frame This portrait is an evocative example of Devis' Regency period portraiture, featuring a pleasant looking young girl holding a book in an outdoor setting. Working with a darker palette, a strongly accented diagonal recession, and dramatic contrasts of light and shadow, Devis heightens the girl's three-dimensional physical presence in the foreground of the composition. The Artist  Arthur William Devis (10 August 1762 – 11 February 1822) was an English painter of history paintings and portraits. He painted portraits and historical subjects, sixty-five of which he exhibited (1779–1821) at the Royal Academy. Among his more famous works are a depiction of the Death of Nelson and a posthumous portrait of Nelson. Devis was born in London, the nineteenth child of the artist Arthur Devis and his wife Elizabeth Faulkner. Devis was the younger brother of the painter Thomas Anthony Devis (1757–1810) and of the schoolmistress and grammarian Ellin Devis (1746–1820), teacher, among others, of author of Maria Edgeworth and Frances Burney (later novelist Madame d'Arblay). He followed his elder brother Thomas Anthony in becoming a pupil at the Royal Academy Schools in 1774 and like his brother exhibited at the Free Society of Artists, of which in 1768 their father had become president, and at the Royal Academy. Early on he came to the notice of Sir Joshua Reynolds. He was appointed draughtsman on the British East India Company's packet Antelope in a voyage in 1783, under Captain Henry Wilson. In her he was injured in an encounter with Papuans near the Schouten Islands and was then wrecked on the Pelew Islands before proceeding to Canton and thence to Bengal. During his voyages, the artist received arrow wounds, one of which inflicted permanent injury on his lower jaw. During his time in Bengal, he painted a portrait of Sir William Jones, at the time a judge in Fort William. The painting now hangs at the British Library. He was back in London by 1795 and is recorded on 21 July 1797 as living at 27 George Street, Hanover Square, where he was insured by the Sun Assurance Office. He is noted for his involvement in the creation of the posthumous cult of Horatio Nelson. As she returned from Trafalgar, Devis went out to meet HMS Victory and was present on board the ship during the autopsy of Nelson's body conducted by Dr Beatty, the ship's surgeon. With the help of sketches he took at that time, he painted a heroic Death of Nelson, which proved a sensation. Devis also painted Dr Beatty, and was commissioned by him to produce a half-length painting of Nelson as vice-admiral, which he lent to Emma Hamilton (who later lost it in an accident whilst travelling). Either the original or a copy of this portrait was exhibited at the Royal Academy two years after the Battle and many copies were made of it. Lord Howe owned one, and another ended up in the collection of the National Maritime Museum. It also appeared as an engraving in Beatty's published account of Nelson's death. Other work includes a portrait of King George III on horseback, and a range of portraits of admirals and generals, along with historical subjects, such as the Babington Plot and the signing of the Magna Carta...

Saint James The Greater, 17th Century after ALBRECHT DÜRER (1471-1528) Large 16th 17th Century Old Master portrait of Saint JamesT...

The Roman Gods In An Allegory Of Love, 18th Century Italian School Large 18th Century Italian School "Allegory of Love" in a panorama of Roman Gods, o...

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 ...

Provenance: Possibly Antonio Amici Moretti, Rome, 1690 Roy Clyde Gardner, Union, Mississippi, 1970s until 2004; by whom given to: Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, 2004-2010 Lit...

Arrival To The The New World, 17th Century European School - Early historical depiction of 16th Century Europeans Large 17th Century scene of ...

The Cards Game, 17th Century Dutch School after Theodoor Rombouts (1597-1637) Large 17th century Dutch Old Master Interior scene of a game of cards, oil on canvas. Excellent quali...

Gortzius Geldorp (Leuven, 1553 - Cologne, 1618) Portrait of a man Oil on panel, 52 x 45 cm Framed, 56.5 x 45 cm Dated and monogrammed at upper right: AN° 1605. GG F. Geldorp Go...

Portrait of a lady, three-quarter length, wearing a blue silk gown, seated in a classical interior, with her daughter in a pink gown standing beside her holding a sprig of blossom. T...

olio su tela, 62 x 51 cm (senza cornice) Il dipinto è stato per lungo attribuito alla mano di Francesco Gessi, allievo di Guido Reni, come riporta un'iscrizione a matita datata 1945...

after HANS HOLBEIN THE YOUNGER 1497 – 1543 PORTRAIT OF WILLIAM WARHAM Oil on canvas Image size: 38 x 35 inches (89 x 71 cm) Hand made period style frame The handling of the paint in...

Sixteenth-century Lombard school Workshop of Alessandro Bonvicino, known as Moretto (Brescia, c. 1498 – 1554) St Jerome Oil on canvas 81 x 68 cm. - In a fine antique frame 98 x...

Oil on oak panel, inscribed top left ‘AETATIS SUAE 32’ Image size: 27 x 35 inches (68.5 x 89 cm) Contemporary style handmade frame This is a portrait of a medical figure from the ea...

Painting oil on canvas measuring 92 x 75 cm without frame and 102 x 87 cm with frame depicting a rich lady of the French school of the first half of the 18th century. In its formal ...

Anonymous, 18th century Inspired by a painting by Petrus Staverenus (1610/1612 – 1654-07-28/1664-07-28) from a series of Five Senses 'Taste: A laughing man...

Portrait Circle of Sir Godfrey Kneller Bt. (British, 1646-1723) of Katharine, wife of Thomas, 6th Earl of Westmorland, oil on canvas late 17th early 18th century in date. The sitter Katharine is facing dexter and is wearing a cream dress, blue and gold cloak and lace mantilla...

Portrait Of Essex Finch, Countess Of Nottingham, 17th Century circle of Sir Peter LELY (1618-1680) Large 17th Century English Old Master po...

Family Portrait Of Mrs Spencer & Children, 18th Century circle of William BEECHEY (1753-1839) Huge 18th Century English School portrait of a lady trad...

Circle of Cornelius Johnson Circa 1620’s Portrait of a Officer Oil on canvas Image size: 28 x 24 inches Period style hand made frame Provenance Private European Estate This striking portrait dates to around 1620, as you can see from the images of the sash the detail is very high. The sash is decorated with gold thread and would have cost a small fortune at the time. Sashes were originally developed for a military function (making officers more visible for their men during combat), but soon became a primarily male fashion...

Studio of Sir Peter Lely Dutch, (1618-1680) Portrait of a Lady Oil on canvas Image size: 29.25 inches x 24.25 inches Size including frame: 37...

Sir Henry Raeburn (1756-1823) James Sinclair, 12th Earl of Caithness (1766-1823) Oil on Canvas 30 X 25 inches Unframed 37 X 32 inches framed Sir Henry Raeburn FRSE RA RSA (4 March 1756 – 8 July 1823) was a Scottish portrait painter and Scotland's first significant portrait painter since the Union to remain based in Scotland. He served as Portrait Painter to King George IV in Scotland. Raeburn was born the son of a manufacturer in Stockbridge, on the Water of Leith: a former village now within the city of Edinburgh. He had an older brother, born in 1744, called William Raeburn. His ancestors were believed to have been soldiers, and may have taken the name "Raeburn" from a hill farm in Annandale, held by Sir Walter Scott's family. Orphaned, he was supported by William and placed in Heriot's Hospital, where he received an education. At the age of fifteen he was apprenticed to the goldsmith James Gilliland of Edinburgh, and various pieces of jewellery, mourning rings and the like, adorned with minute drawings on ivory by his hand, still exist. Soon he took to the production of carefully finished portrait miniatures; meeting with success and patronage, he extended his practice to oil painting, at which he was self-taught. Gilliland watched the progress of his pupil with interest, and introduced him to David Martin, who had been the favourite assistant of Allan Ramsay the Latter, and was now the leading portrait painter in Edinburgh. Raeburn was especially aided by the loan of portraits to copy. Soon he had gained sufficient skill to make him decide to devote himself exclusively to painting. George Chalmers (1776; Dunfermline Town Hall) is his earliest known portrait. In his early twenties, Raeburn was asked to paint the portrait of a young lady he had noticed when he was sketching from nature in the fields. Ann was the daughter of Peter Edgar of Bridgelands, and widow of Count James Leslie of Deanhaugh. Fascinated by the handsome and intellectual young artist, she became his wife within a month, bringing him an ample fortune. The acquisition of wealth did not affect his enthusiasm or his industry, but spurred him on to acquire a thorough knowledge of his craft. It was usual for artists to visit Italy, and Raeburn set off with his wife. In London he was kindly received by Sir Joshua Reynolds, the president of the Royal Academy, who advised him on what to study in Rome, especially recommending the works of Michelangelo, and gave Raeburn letters of introduction for Italy. In Rome he met his fellow Scot Gavin Hamilton, Pompeo Girolamo Batoni and Byers, an antique dealer whose advice proved particularly useful, especially the recommendation that "he should never copy an object from memory, but, from the principal figure to the minutest accessory, have it placed before him." After two years of study in Italy he returned to Edinburgh in 1787, and began a successful career as a portrait painter. In that year he executed a seated portrait of the second Lord President Dundas. Examples of his earlier portraiture include a bust of Mrs Johnstone of Baldovie and a three-quarter-length of Dr James Hutton: works which, if somewhat timid and tentative in handling and not as confident as his later work, nevertheless have delicacy and character. The portraits of John Clerk, Lord Eldin, and of Principal Hill of St Andrews belong to a later period. Raeburn was fortunate in the time in which he practised portraiture. Sir Walter Scott, Hugh Blair, Henry Mackenzie, Lord Woodhouselee, William Robertson, John Home, Robert Fergusson, and Dugald Stewart were resident in Edinburgh, and were all painted by Raeburn. Mature works include his own portrait and that of the Rev. Sir Henry Moncrieff Wellwood, a bust of Dr Wardrop of Torbane Hill, two full-lengths of Adam Rolland of Gask, the remarkable paintings of Lord Newton and Dr Alexander Adam in the National Gallery of Scotland, and that of William Macdonald of St Martin's. Apart from himself, Raeburn painted only two artists, one of whom was Sir Francis Leggatt Chantrey, the most important and famous British sculptor of the first half of the 19th century. It has recently been revealed that Raeburn and Chantrey were close friends and that Raeburn took exceptional care over the execution of his portrait of the sculptor, one of the painter's mature bust-length masterpieces. It was commonly believed that Raeburn was less successful in painting female portraits, but the exquisite full-length of his wife, the smaller likeness of Mrs R. Scott Moncrieff in the National Gallery of Scotland, and that of Mrs Robert Bell, and others, argue against this. Raeburn spent his life in Edinburgh, rarely visiting London, and then only for brief periods, thus preserving his individuality. Although he, personally, may have lost advantages resulting from closer association with the leaders of English art, and from contact with a wider public, Scottish art gained much from his disinclination to leave his native land. He became the acknowledged chief of the school which was growing up in Scotland during the early 19th century, and his example and influence at a critical period were of major importance. So varied were his other interests that sitters used to say of him, "You would never take him for a painter till he seizes the brush and palette." In 1812 he was elected president of the Society of Artists in Edinburgh; and in 1814 associate, and in the following year full member, of the Royal Scottish Academy. On 29 August 1822 he was knighted by George IV and appointed His Majesty's limner for Scotland at the Earl of Hopetoun house. He died in Edinburgh. Raeburn had all the essential qualities of a popular and successful portrait painter. He was able to produce a telling and forcible likeness; his work is distinguished by powerful characterisation, stark realism, dramatic and unusual lighting effects, and swift and broad handling of the most resolute sort. David Wilkie recorded that, while travelling in Spain and studying the works of Diego Velázquez, the brushwork reminded him constantly of the "square touch" of Raeburn. Scottish physician and writer John Brown wrote that Raeburn "never fails in giving a likeness at once vivid, unmistakable and pleasing. He paints the truth, and he paints it with love". Raeburn has been described as a "famously intuitive"portrait painter. He was unusual amongst many of his contemporaries, such as Reynolds, in the extent of his philosophy of painting directly from life; he made no preliminary sketches. This attitude partly explains the often coarse modelling and clashing colour combinations he employed, in contrast to the more refined style of Thomas Gainsborough and Reynolds. However these qualities and those mentioned above anticipate many of the later developments in painting of the 19th century from romanticism to Impressionism. Sir Henry Raeburn died in St Bernard's House (17 St Bernards Crescent), Stockbridge, Edinburgh. He is buried in St. Cuthbert's churchyard against the east wall (the monument erected by Raeburn in advance) but also has a secondary memorial in the Church of St John the Evangelist, Edinburgh. James Sinclair, 12th Earl of Caithness was born at Barrogill Castle (Castle of Mey) on 31 May 1766. He was the son of Sir John Sinclair of Mey, Baronet who he succeeded in the baronetcy in 1774. He succeeded as 12th earl of Caithness in 1789. He was lord-lieutenant of the county of Caithness and lieutenant-colonel of the Ross-shire militia. He married at Thurso Castle on 2 January 1784 Jane, second daughter of Alexander Campbell...

Madonna and Child Workshop of Andrea del Sarto, pseudonym of Andrea d'Agnolo di Francesco (Florence 1486 - 1530) Attributable to Jacopo di Giovanni di Francesco, known as Jacone (...

Giovan Bernardo Lama (Naples, 1536-1600 ca.) The Pietà oil on panel 51 x 41 cm. Antique frame (defects and faults) 66 x 56 cm. Observing the exquisite quality and the elegance ...

Portrait Of Charles I Of England (1600-1649) Wearing The Order Of The Garter, 17th Century circle of Sir Antony VAN DYCK (1599-1641) Large 17th Century English portrait of King Cha...

Portrait Of CLAUDE-LOUISE DE LORY (1706-1742), 18th Century French School Large 18th Century French portrait of a lady identified as Claude-Louise De Lory. Excellent quality and c...

Painting, oil on canvas, measuring 92 x 75 cm without frame and 102 x 87 cm with frame depicting a nobleman of the French school of the first half of the 18th century. In its formal...

Follower of Enoch Seeman the Younger German, (1694-1744) Portrait of Gilbert Sympkin Oil on canvas Image size: 29.25 inches x 24.5 inches Size including frame: 38 inches x 33.25 inches A fine three quarter length portrait of a gentleman traditionally identified as Gilbert Simpkin (Sympkin), follower of Enoch Seeman the younger, C1720. The portrait is set in a feigned sculptured oval cartouche, a device used to give a sense of depth. The sitter is depicted wearing a fashionable blue jacket and matching waistcoat with a white chemise and lace jabot. He wears a powdered wig in the fashionable style of the day and is posed holding his hat under his left arm with the fingers of his right hand stretched out. At court, long fingers signified wealth, culture and intelligence. The painting has clearly been executed by an artist of great ability who has been influenced by Enoch Seeman the younger. Gilbert Simpkin (Sympkin) was born in London on 24 August 1683, the son of John Simpkin and Susannah Butler. His grandfather was also called Gilbert Simpkin. He entered Oxford University in 1700 where he studied at St John’s College. In 1702, he became a student of Middle Temple, which at the time was one of the world’s most important centres of legal education. He later settled in Plymouth and then Bristol. He died in Bristol on 15 May, 1744 and was buried at Bristol Cathedral. He remained unmarried and the portrait may well have been commissioned to commemorate when he was first Called to the Bar or perhaps had established his own practice. Enoch Seeman or Seemann the younger was born in Danzig, Germany now Gdansk, Poland in 1694. His father was Enoch Seeman Senior, an artist of Flemish origin and his brothers Isaac, Noah and Abraham also became artists. He came to London with his father and brothers around 1704 and established himself as a portrait artist. From 1717 he became painter to the Royal court painting...

16th-century Flemish master Circle of Quentin Metsys (Leuven, 1466 - Antwerp, 1530) Ecce Homo oil on panel cm. 34 x 23 with frame 47 x 37 (not contemporary) An important painting...

The Knight is an original painting realized by Pietro della Vecchia during the XVII century. Oil on board. Original title: Ritratto di giovane cavaliere con cappello piumato. Includ...

The Battle Of The Peasants, 17th Century by M D HOUT (1627-1680) Large 17th Century Dutch Old Master scene of peasants fighting, oil on panel by M ...

John Clostermann (Osnabrück 1660 - 1711 London) Portrait of a boy, maybe Charles Hinde Oil on canvas, 61 x 74,6 cm John Closterman (also Klosterman) was a portrait painter of the late 17th and early 18th centuries. He primarily portrayed English noblemen and European aristocratic families. His father was already an artist and he trained his son. In 1679 he went to Paris and studied with Francois de Troy. In 1681 he was in London and worked for the artist John Riley, whose studio he took over after his death. In 1696 he was invited to the Spanish court...

Gerard SOEST (1600 - 1681) Portrait of a Young Boy oil on canvas 35.5 x 30.5 inches inc. frame Gerard Soest (circa 1600 – 11 February 1681), also known as Gerald Soest, was a portra...

Portrait Of Franz von Sickingen Knight Of The Holy Roman Empire (1481-1523) Italian School Large 16th/17th Century Italian Old Master portrait of Franz von Sickingen, Knight Of The...

'Topers in a Tavern' Circle of Jacob Toorenvliet (Dutch 1635 - 1719) oil on panel, framed framed: 9 x 7 inches panel: 7.5 x 6 inches provenance: priv...

Bulldogs Hunting A Badger, 18th Century attributed to Charles TOWNE (1763-1840) Large 18th Century English School hunting scene of Bulldogs Hunting a badger, oil on canvas laid to...

A wonderfully detailed and charismatic portrait, this exquisite work illustrates the technical mastery and artistic vision of Van Dyck. Ernest de Mansfeld's stately yet approachable expression reflects Van Dyck's refined ability to comfort and relax his subjects, resulting in a realistic and acute portrait. Ernest de Mansfeld was a German military commander during the early years of the Thirty Years War. Donning his armor and an ornate, lace collar, de Mansfeld appears as a strong commander. Without a hint of a smile, he calmly gazes out, the definition of cool and collected. Van Dyck accurately captures the sense that de Mansfeld is a man who takes his job seriously, a man worthy of commanding an army in battle. This portrait is a Mauquoy-Hendrickx State II (of II), engraved by Robertus van Voerst in collaboration with Anthony van Dyck (Antwerp, 1559 - London, 1641) as part of his Iconographie series of engraved portraits of famous people...

Portrait Of Actor Anthony Leigh As Father Dominic from John Dryden's "The Spanish Fryar", 17th Century Sir GODFREY KNELLER (1646-1723) Large 17th C...

An Allegory Of Motherhood & Charity, 17th Century Huge Italian Old Master Huge circa 1600 Italian Old Master scene of a mother and infants as an al...

Christian Schildbach was a very talented artist with his own style. Art painter in Plauen, then court painter in Dresden; around 1706 art painter in Vienna, also active in Bamberg (...

Portrait Of A Young Lady, Traditionally Identified As Rachel Russell, Duchess of Devonshire (1674-1725) circle of Sir Godfrey Kneller (1646–1723...

Portrait Of A Gentleman & His Estate, 18th Century attributed to Arthur DEVIS (1712-1787) One of a matching pair - the other is believed to be the brother Large 18th century Eng...

Portrait Of A Lady As Diana, 17th Century Salomon de Bray (1597-1664) Large 17th Century Dutch Old Master portrait of a lady as Diana, oil ...

Painting oil on panel depicting a strong and distinctive old man's head with dimensions of 36 x 28 cm without frame and 68 x 60 with frame coeval Flemish school of the second half of...

Dipinto di scuola toscana della seconda metà del XVII secolo raffigurante un ritratto maschile di tre quarti, immerso nell'eleganza e nella maestosità proprie dell'epoca. La figura è...

Portrait Of Mrs Isabella Blair, 18th century circle of Sir Henry Raeburn (1756-1823) Large 18th Century Scottish portrait of Mrs Isabe...

French Art Rococo Portrait of a Woman, Young Lady, perhaps an actress

Anne Hyde, Duchess of York (1637-1671), 17th Century Circle of SIR PETER LELY (1618-1680) Large 17th Century English School court portrait of Anne Hyde, Duchess of York, oil on can...

Portrait Of A Lady, Believed to be Miss Craigie, 18th Century circle of Allan RAMSAY (1713-1784) Fine large 18th century portrait of a Lady in a. white dress, believed to be a Mi...

PORTRAIT OF COURT MUSICIAN JOSEF LEMBERGER (1667-1740) Hungarian School Large 18th Century Hungarian Portrait of court musician Josef Lemberger, oil on canvas. Superb quality and early important...

Peter Paul Rubens (circle of) An Apostle circular 15.15 inches (38.5 cm) oil on canvas Provenance: Bukowskis Auctions, lot 725149, as "Peter Paul Rubens, circle of".

Painting, oil on canvas, measuring 92 x 77 without frame and 107 x 82 cm with frame , depicting a Saint Jerome in ancient philosopher and ascetic version, typical of the greatest tra...

Portrait Of John Parker, 1st Lord Boringdon (1735-1788), 18th century School of Joshua Reynolds (1723-1792) Large 18th portrait of John Parker, 1st Lord Boringdon, oil on canvas. E...

Christian Ottoman Wars Cavalry Battle, 17th Century circle of Il Borgognone (1628-1679) Large 17th Century Italian School scene of a Christian and Ottoman cavalry during battle, o...

Amazing painting of Cleopatra oil on canvas with a gilt wood frame. Attributed to Giuseppe Diamantini (Fossombrone 1621-Venice 1705) The dramatic subje...

Portrait Of Jeanne III d'Albret (1528-1572), 16th Century French School Court Portrait - oil on panel Fine 16th century French Old Master portrait of Jeanne III, Queen regent or Navarre, oil on panel. Rare and early depiction of the Queen regent in court attire by a French court painter circa 1550. Jeanne d"Albret married Antione De Bourbon to become the Duchess of Vendome. Her son Henri would be come Henri III...

After the Hunt Jan Josef Horemans the Younger Antwerp 1714 – 1790 Flemish School Signature: Attributed to Jan Josef the Younger Horemans Medium: Oil on canvas Dimensions: Size incl...

Jan Kupetsky (1667 - 1740) Czech School An artist grinding colours, possibly a self-portrait Oil on canvas Signed, verso : "Joseph Prinzig" Provenance: Private Collection, Hungary ...

Christian Schildbach was a very talented artist with his own style. Art painter in Plauen, then court painter in Dresden; around 1706 art painter in Vienna, also active in Bamberg (...