Renaissance Portrait Paintings

This beautiful late 16th-century Italian oil on leather depicts a lady wearing an exquisite hair ensemble consisting of pearls and rubies set in gold. It’s an exceptionally rare piec...

Madonna and Child with St. John the Baptist Italian artist, 18th century, after the earlier painting by Raphael oil on wood panel, framed in an Empire, gilt moulded frame Framed: 23 ...

The Virgin Madonna Spanish Renaissance artist, circle of El Greco (1541-1614) circa 1600 oil on wood panel, unframed panel: 20 x 14.5 inches Provenance: private collection, northern ...

A masterful copy by an unknown artist, after the portrait of "Beatrice d'Este" by Leonardo Da Vinci also known as ‘Portrait of a Lady’ or ‘La Dama con la reticella di perle (The Lady With a Pearl Hairnet)’. The original work originally created in the 15th Century is currently on display in the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana Museum of Milan. Beatrice d'Este was the Duchess of Bari/Milan and was believed to be one of the most attractive princesses of the Renaissance. Her impeccable style won her many admirers throughout Italy and France, and she became a trendsetter of the highest order. This copy of the original painting, is an oil on canvas done in the 18th Century, and in this exquisite portrait, the artist has masterfully depicted the fine details with draped hair, pearls, royal dress, ornate headgear and sumptuous jewelry in front of a dark background. Once again, capturing the imagination with another enigmatic smile. It comes housed in an elegant period giltwood frame with ebonized trims and ready to be displayed with hanging wire on verso. Art measures 28 x 18 inches Frame measures 34.5 x 24.5 inches There is much debate and controversy over who actually painted the "Beatrice d'Este" was it Leonardo da Vinci (1452–1519), or Giovanni Ambrogio de Predis (1455–1508). So we may never know who executed the original portrait which hangs in the museum, but that need not deter from an appreciation of its singularity. Following the portraiture convention established by painters of the Quattrocentro, the artist has chosen to portray his sitter in profile. In doing so, he magnificently captures the essence of his sitter, a girl on the threshold of womanhood. Bedecked in the adornments—silk, velvet, pearls and embroidery (brocade) crafted of spun gold threads—afforded her by birthright and marriage, Beatrice looks forward in noble serenity. And at the same time her profile with its upturned nose and slight smile betrays an innocence that must have been the basis of the oft-repeated epithet: la più zentil donna in Italia” (“the sweetest lady in Italy”). It is believed the lady is Beatrice d'Este (1475-1497), duchess of Bari and later of Milan, the wife of Ludovico Sforza (known as "il Moro"). One of the most beautiful princesses of the Italian Renaissance, she was known for her good taste in fashion. Beatrice was a member of the Este-Sforza family, which joined by marriage two of the oldest reigning and already powerful houses in Italy. The house of Este, which held court in Ferrara, traced its lineage to the 11th century Dukes of Saxony and Bavaria. Beatriceʼs father, Ercole I ruled the Ferrara commune for 34 years, catapulting the city-state (and the Estes with it) to an unmatched level of economic prosperity and cultural prominence. The family was renowned for its love of letters and patronage of the arts. The first time Leonardo da Vinci’s name resounded in the Ambrosiana, it was through the pen of its founder, Cardinal Federico Borromeo, who attributed this little panel to the great Master, describing it as “A portrait of a Duchess of Milan, by the hand of Leonardo”. Following the Cardinal’s statement, the portrait was for long assumed to depict Beatrice d’Este, the wife of Ludovico il Moro. However, scholars have recently been more cautious and vague in their statements, with regard to both the artist (anonymous Lombard or Emilian...

The Madonna, Christ Child & St. John the Baptist Italian School, after an earlier Renaissance masterpiece pastel on board, framed framed: 28 x 25 inches board: 24 x 21 inches provena...

Italian, 19th Century after Raphael (Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino 1483-1520) " La Madonna della Seggiola ", circa 1820-1840 (The Madonna of the Chair) Oil on Canvas Laid on Board C...

A stunning copy of the Northern Renaissance masterpiece "Maddalena Dolente" by Quentin Matsys (1466-1530) which is in the collection of the Gemäldegalerie Berlin. Beautifully execut...

The Tailor Continental School, 19th century after the earlier Renaissance work by Giovanni Battista Moroni (16th century). oil on canvas laid over board, framed Framed: 16 x 12 inch...

A portrait of courtier and politician John Poyntz, after Hans Holbein, circa 1644 - 1674. This painting is based on a drawing by Hans Holbein, part of the drawings collection of the ...

Portrait of a Noble Lady French School, early 1700's period oil painting on copper, unframed copper: 5 x 3 inches condition: very good, minor paint fading and deteriation. provenanc...

After Lorenzo Lippi (Florence, May 6, 1606 - Florence, April 15, 1665) is a Baroque painter of the Florentine school and a seventeenth-century Italian poet.

19th/ early 20th Century Italian School Madonna and Child oil painting on canvas, unframed canvas: 32 x 24 inches provenance: private collection, UK co...

The Head of Christ 19th Century Dutch School oil on paper laid down on board, unframed size: 7.5 x 6 inches private collection The painting is in overall very good and sound condition

Guardian Angel Italian School, 17th century Oil painting on copper, framed Framed size: 12 x 10.5 inches Fine quality early Italian Old Master oil on copper panel, dating to the 17t...

15th century, Italian Circle of Antonio del Pollaiuolo (1429-1498) Portrait of an Italian Noblewoman Oil and tempura on poplar panel With partial inscription: ALZETAPIN Provenance:...

Attributed to Bonifacio Bembo c.1444-1477 Italy Saint Cosmas and Saint Damian Tempera on panel These exceptionally rare early Renaissance panels of Saint Cosmas and Saint Damian are an extraordinary new discovery. Based on the research of art historians Marco Tanzi and Andrea de Marchi, it is believed that these represent the missing panels from the famed polyptych formerly displayed on the altar of the Chapel of San Nicola da Tolentino in the Church of Sant’Agostino in Cremona, Italy. To find two matching early Renaissance panels outside of a museum or church, particularly in such remarkable condition, is an extraordinary rarity. The central and left-sided panels of the original five-part polyptych are currently in the collection of the Museo Civico Ala Ponzone in Cremona. These panels have luckily remained intact, and respectively portray the Madonna and Child Enthroned with Angels and Donor, Saint Nicholas of Tolentino (the chapel’s namesake) and Saint George. While the present panels have since been reduced, that they belong to the Cremonese altarpiece is confirmed by a number of stylistic elements. All five panels contain the same rich decorative arabesque pattern on their stamped gold background, while the figures’ knurled haloes are identical in both their fineness of line and use of perspective. The proportions of the figures coincide perfectly; Saints Cosmas and Damian would have originally also been depicted as full-length figures, fitting into the vertical, Gothic style of the altarpiece. According to the Christian religion, Saint Cosmas and Saint Damian were 3rd century physicians born in Arabia. Little is known about their lives except that they were reputedly twin brothers and that they were martyred in Syria during the persecution of Emperor Diocletian. It was believed that the saints were skilled in healing, and when their medicines failed, their faith and prayers could always perform miracles. Thus, the saints are often depicted with their medical equipment while wearing the traditional medieval doctor’s garb of crimson robes and distinctive round red hats. The saints are similarly depicted in the present panels, though considering the manner in which they have been cut, their medical tools are not immediately evident. The saints were highly popular as patrons of wealthy families during the Gothic and Renaissance eras, particularly the Medici, and thus they occur frequently in art from the era. The twins, for instance, are found in the famed San Marco Altarpiece by Fra Angelico in the San Marco Museum (Florence), as well as in a set of Medici panels crafted by Filippo Lippi...

Provenance: Private Collection, New Jersey The present painting depicts Saint Vincent Ferrer preaching from a raised pulpit to a group of seven peopl...

Stylised Portrait, Peasant Girl, Impressionist Oil Painting By European Schooled artist, Mid 20th Century Oil painting on metal, framed Framed size: 10.5 ...

Mid 19th Century portrait of a young Irish woman in c. 1570s dress with ruffle. Painted in the style of William Merritt Chase. Unsigned and unframed.

Eli, 2020 Oil on Panel with Carved and Gilded Frame, 11.5 x 13.5 inches An embodiment of Renaissance portraiture, Varpucanskis’s “Eli” is distinguished by its gentle charm and mat...

"Girl with the Hermes Scarf" by Steve McElroy. Oil on canvas, 22 x 28 inches, painted 2025. This is the original painting! Beautiful archival quality limited edition of 50 hand ...

Riratto con Paesaggio, 2019 Oil on Panel with Frame, 11 x 14 inches A quiet and contemplative portrait painting, "Ritratto con Paesaggio", by Justas Varpucanskis, presents a sooth...