18th Century Art

A charming study of a determined looking woman seated on a bench surrounded by woven baskets. One hand propped on her him and another through the handle of her basket, she looks to the right with an intense stare. The artist depicts her on a street lined with tall continental buildings on a summer's day. Painted in a style influenced by 18th century artist...

Hunting Trophy with Mallard Duck – Circle of Baldassarre de Caro (Naples, 1689–1750) Italy, second half of the 17th century – very early 18th century Oil on canvas, relined Dimension...

A fine impression with the address of the artist (Autore, Strada Felice) and the price (Paoli 2 1/2) as well as Hind Watermark no.3 (Fleur-de-lys-in-a-Double-Circle), all correspondi...

This stunning 18th century Dutch Old Master Golden Age floral oil painting is attributed to a circle of Simon Pietersz Verelst. Painted circa 1720 it is a still life floral of a mixe...

Francesco Zuccarelli (Pitigliano 1702 - Florence 1788), circle of Landscape with river and resting shepherds First half of the 18th century   oil painting on canvas cm. 60 x 93, within a carved and gilded wooden frame cm. 75 x 108 This delightful landscape view animated by a family of shepherds who rest from their daily duties should be compared to the hand of Francesco Zuccarelli (Pitigliano 1702 - Florence 1788); In the landscapes painted by Zuccarelli the world is crystallized, frozen in a moment of idyllic quiet, where the 'Arcadian' sense of the landscape is rendered with that pictorial vivacity, chromatic lightness and compositional grace that we find in its entirety in his painting. By way of comparison we can compare our canvas to other compositions, including: - Landscape with river and resting shepherds, Accademia Carrara, Bergamo - Landscape with bridge and horseman, Accademia Carrara, Bergamo - Landscape with river, village, fisherman and shepherdesses' (Christie's, London May 1960, - Landscape with figures, Accademia Carrara, - Landscape with knight and figures, Accademia Carrara Tuscan by origin, Francesco Zuccarelli trained first in Florence with the landscape architect Paolo Anesi...

Oil on layered paper Image size: 10 1/2 x 8 1/4 inches (26.5 x 21 cm) Contemporary swept frame This is an eighteenth century portrait of a...

Como pueden apreciar, la obra no va firmada, es de autor anónimo Se presenta sin enmarcar la pintura El estado de la obra se puede ver, presenta varias faltas de pintura y precisar...

Magnificent print by Robert John Thornton; aquatint and mezzotint, printed in colour and finished by hand, heightened with gum arabic, from The Temple of Flora. [London 1799] First state. Thornton was a prolific medical author and became a Doctor of Medicine at St Andrews University and licentiate of the Royal College of Physicians. However, he is best remembered for this great botanical publication The Temple of Flora, which formed a part of the larger work - New Illustration of the sexual system of Linnaeus. In 1797, he also began advertising for subscribers to his planned natural history publishing venture, which eventually comprised of 30 folio botanical plates. For these remarkable illustrations, he engaged the services of the leading artists and engravers of his day: Sir William Beechey, James Opie, Henry Raeburn, John Russell, Philip Reinagle...

'Marie' Copper-line engraving by Pierre Francois Basan (1723-1797) after Van der vaart. Mary II (1662-1694) reigned as Queen of England, Scotland, a...

This exquisite early 18th-century French still life depicts a bouquet of vivid blooms set in an urn-shaped glass vase. It’s reminiscent of flower pieces by the French painter, Charle...

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...

French painter (18th century) - Joseph thrown into the cistern by his brothers. 84 x 105 cm. Old oil painting on canvas, without frame. Condition report: Lined canvas. Good state ...

This is an original 18th century hand-colored map entitled "An Exact Chart of all the Countries through which Capt. Behring Travelled from Tobolski, Capital of Siberia to the Country...

This is a framed Giovanni Battista Piranesi (1720-1778) etching entitled "Orthographia utriusque lateris arcuum ductus Aquae Virginis a specu principe ad Hadriani thermas, effossorum...

A hand-colored copper plate engraving depicting "Calendula prolifera; Calendula lutea flore pleno; Calendula lute medioruffa" flowers from Basilius Besler's landmark work, Hortus Eys...

Painting oil on glass, depicting a praying Madonna measuring 55 x 45 without frame and 62 x 52 cm with frame by the painter Giuseppe Bernardino Bison (Palmanova 1762 - Milan 1844). ...

Coastal view at sunset with fishermen and boats Atelier of Charles François Grenier De Lacroix, called de Marseille (Marseille 1700 - Berlin 1782) Oil on canvas 50 x 62 cm. - in fra...

This is an original antique colored botanical mezzotint and line engraving of a flowering Betel Nut Palm plants, which is finished with hand-coloring. It is entitled "Fagus Fau Buch,...

Three plates from The Wondrous Transformation of Caterpillars and their Strange Diet of Flowers. “Wolfsmelk Rupsen;" “Wolfsmilch, Raupe und Schmetterling" Amsterdam: J F Bernard, 1730. Each an engraving with hand coloring in watercolor and gouache printed on one sheet of watermarked Honig cream laid paper, each measures 6 1/4 x 5 inches (157 x 121 mm), sheet measures 20 5/8 x 14 inches (522 x 355 mm), full margins. With handling creases in the lower right sheet quadrant, as well as minor, loose cockling, otherwise in very good condition. The colors are superb with exceptionally fresh and bright saturation. Engraved between 1679 and 1683, printed 1730. Plates included: XLVIII; XLIX & L. MARIA SIBYLLA MERIAN was one of the most highly respected entomologists of the 17th century, and remains today one of the field's most significant figures. A German-born naturalist and scientific illustrator, she reared herself on the study of caterpillars, and made tremendous contributions to the knowledge of the life cycles of numerous species. Until her detailed and careful study of the process of metamorphosis it was thought that insects were "born of mud," through spontaneous generation. Trained as a miniature painter by her stepfather, she published her first book of illustrations in 1675, at the age of 28. In 1679, Merian published the first volume of the two-volume series on caterpillars, The Wondrous Transformation of Caterpillars and their Strange Diet of Flowers; the second volume followed in 1683. Each volume contained 50 plates that she engraved and etched. In 1699, Merian traveled to Dutch Guiana...

Still Life Of Flowers in a Glass Vase including, Roses Chrysanthemums, Pinks 17th Century Large 18th Century Dutch old Master still life study of various flowers in a vase, oil on canvas. Magnificent study of various flowers including Roses Chrysanthemums, and Pinks in a glass vase beside peaches and grapes in a stone niche...

Night Thoughts is an original Modern Rare book written by Edward Young (1683 – 1765) and engraved by Sir William Blake (London, 1757 - London, 1827) in 1797. It includes a suite of ...

A portrait of a lady three-quarter length, seated in an interior, wearing a red silk gown draped in a pink silk sash with an exotic bird perched on her hand and one arm resting on a stone plinth, her young daughter wearing a green silk gown standing at her side. Oil on canvas, housed in a period 'Lely' giltwood frame. This double portrait was painted at the height of Dahl's career in circa 1715 when Dahl had become firmly established as one of the leading portrait painters in Britain. Although the identities of the sitters are currently unknown, it is a sensitive depiction of a close and affectionate bond between a mother and daughter, with the young girl's hand resting affectionately on her mothers lap. The tamed exotic bird adds a charming decorative element which also serves to convey the high social status of the lady, given only the very wealthy would be able to own such a rare and expensive pet and the lively colouring of the bird's feathers is reflected in the colours of the sitters' silk gowns. Provenance: Private collection, London Michael Dahl (Stockholm 1659-1743 London) was born in Stockholm in Sweden and studied under Martin Hannibal (d 1741) and later with David Klöcker Ehrenstrahl. In 1682 he travelled to London, where he became acquainted with Godfrey Kneller and Henry Tilson, and in 1685 he left for Europe with Tilson, working briefly in Paris before continuing to Venice and Rome, where they stayed for about two years. In Rome Dahl converted to Roman Catholicism and gravitated towards the circle of Christina, former Queen of Sweden, who sat for him (Grimsthorpe Castle, Lincs). He returned to England with Tilson via Frankfurt and arrived in London in 1689, staying in England for the remainder of his career. During Dahl's absence, Kneller had consolidated his supremacy in London as the most fashionable portrait painter, but Dahl rapidly became Kneller’s closest competitor. His patrons probably had roots in the Swedish diplomatic circles, but it expanded as a result of his ability and his agreeable personality. His prices were lower than those of Kneller and he favoured softer, more diffused, colour tones and could respond to his sitters with sincerity and humanity. Politically, Kneller supported the ascendant Whigs while Dahl was a Tory, but they frequently painted the same sitters from both parties, and in spite of fundamental differences in technique and temperament, their work was sometimes similar in appearance. Dahl was prolific but rarely signed his work, and comparatively few of his portraits were engraved in mezzotint, the method used by Kneller to widen his reputation. By 1690 he had painted the aged Duke of Schomberg (engraved by William Faithorne) and Prince George of Denmark (London, Kensington Palace). He was ignored by William III but received commissions from Princess Anne, including one for a portrait of herself (Oakly Park, Ludlow, Salop). He also painted the future Duke and Duchess of Marlborough, and his informal portrait of the Duchess (Althorp House, Northants), formerly attributed to Kneller, is perhaps the most intimate of all images of her. During the 1690s he secured the patronage of Charles Seymour, the ‘Proud’ 6th Duke of Somerset, who ordered a series of seven full-length portraits of notable contemporary beauties from Dahl (1690s; Petworth House, W. Sussex, NT). This was originally a scheme similar to Kneller’s more famous ‘Hampton Court Beauties’, but the portraits were subsequently reduced to three-quarter-length formats. The features of the sitters are not individualized, but they possess a decorative, languorous glamour that recalls Lely rather than Kneller. Somerset gave Dahl further employment over the next 25 years. In 1698, following the death of Klöcker Ehrenstrahl, Dahl was offered the post of court painter at Stockholm, which he apparently refused, preferring to remain in London at his studio in Leicester Fields, near the Swedish legation. In about 1700 he was joined by a young compatriot, Hans Hysing, who worked with him for many years. Dahl seems not to have married until after 1708, He had a son Michael (d. 1741), also a painter, of whose work nothing is known, and two daughters. After the accession of Queen Anne in 1701, she and Prince George sat for a number of official portraits. His royal patronage ceased with Queen Anne’s death, and when Dahl refused to paint the infant Duke of Cumberland in 1722. He was suspected of Jacobite sympathies, and relations had cooled between him and the Swedish legation. However, his practice continued to prosper, and he acquired another important patron in Edward Harley, 2nd Earl of Oxford, who shared his political views and whose circle included the architect James Gibbs and the poets Matthew Prior and Alexander Pope, all of whom Dahl painted. Oxford commissioned several portraits of himself. In the earliest (1719; Welbeck Abbey...

Although we have little bibliographical information on William James, we know that he was trained by Canaletto during the painter's stay in England between 1746 and 1755. Although he may never have been to Venice, William James remained under the influence of his master for a long time and became known for his paintings inspired by Canaletto's artworks. In this painting, William James is inspired by one of the twelve views of the Grand Canal painted by Canaletto for Joseph Smith, or more precisely by the engraving made by Antonio Visentini in 1735 after this painting. He delivers a very personal version, vibrant with colours, in which he brilliantly reproduces the moving surface of the sea, animated by the ever-changing traffic of the gondolas. 1. William James, the English follower...

The Royal Hunt, 18th Century attributed to JOHN CORDREY (1765-1825) Large 18th century English scene of The Royal Hunt, oil on panel attributed to John Cordrey. Excellent quality a...

The two plates in this set were created utilizing both engraving and etching techniques by William Hogarth in 1753, originally as illustrations of his book on aesthetics, entitled "Analysis of Beauty". Due to their popularity, these plates were later published separately. The publication line in the lower right reads: "Designed, Engraved, and Publish'd by Wm. Hogarth, March 5th 1753, according to Act of Parliament." Hogarth's original copper plates were refurbished where needed by James Heath and engravings were republished in London in 1822 by Braddock, Cradock & Joy. This was the last time Hogarth's copper plates were used for printing. Most were melted during World War I for the construction of bombs. These large folio sized "Analysis of Beauty" engravings are presented in antiqued gold-colored frames with double mats; the outer silk mats are light brown-colored and the inner mats are dark brown. Each frame measures 27.38" x 31.25" x 1.13". There is one tiny spot in the right margin of plate 1 and another in the lower margin; the latter could be from the printing process. The prints are otherwise in excellent condition. The "Analysis of Beauty" series is in the collection of many major museums, including: The British Museum, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, The Tate Museum, The Chicago Art Institute and The Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco. The first engraving (Plate 1) depicts a courtyard of statues which is filled with some of the most famous works of classical sculpture. The most important sculptures are surrounded by less impressive works. The Medicean Venus (#13) is in the center with a statue of Julius Caesar (#19) to the right, elevated on a pulley with a short, overdressed Brutus stands over the falling Caesar. The Apollo Belvedere (#12) is next. A judge stands to the right with his foot on a cherub (#16). Another crying cherub holds a gallows and wipes his tears with the judge's robe. A sphinx (#21) and the drunken Silenus (#107) are below the Venus. Michaelangelo's torso (#54) and a statue of Antonius (#6) are seen in the foreground. The Farnese Hercules (#3) and a bust of another Hercules (#4) under two statuettes of Isis are also included in the scene. The key to these objects is included in the form of a serpentine line winding around a cone (#26), Hogarth's "Line of Beauty". For Hogarth the winding line is an essential element of beauty in art. Hogarth's theory of beauty is communicated in this plate. Plate 2 is thought to represent the Wanstead Assembly, with the Earl of Tynley and his household. It is an adaptation of a scene in the Happy Marriage series, which complements Hogarth's Marriage à la Mode...

Artist's proof, printed on antique watermarked paper, wide margins, representing an “antique vase in the Villa Albani” as pointed out in the higher note. ...

We are grateful to Prof. Daniele Sanguineti for suggesting the attribution to Domenico Parodi (1672 - 1742). He dates the painting into the period between 1730 and 1740. Domenico Par...

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 ...

Rembrandt van Rijn, After by Amand Durand, Dutch (1606 - 1669) - The Flight into Egypt: Altered from Seghers, Year: Of Original 1653, Medium: Etching, Image Size: 8.5 x 11 inches, S...

Andrea Locatelli (Rome, Italy, 1695 – 1741) Title: Landscape with fisherman Medium: Oil on canvas Dimensions: Without frame 27 x 28.5 cm – with frame 35 x 47.6 x 3.5 cm Expertise b...

This superb Old Master 18th century figurative landscape oil painting is by noted French born artist Philip James Loutherbourg. who settled in England in 1771. The painting has good ...

Rococo design for a gate, etching, by Joseph Baumann (active 1740-1760), circa 1750. Published by Martin Engelbrecht (1684–1756). Similar works ar...

Portrait of a young lady By Henri Millot (Paris, active between 1699 and 1756) Signed "peint par h. millot" and dated 1706 on the entablature Oil on canvas: h. 81 cm, l. 64 cm A Loui...

Antique Italian painting from 18th century. Framework oil on canvas, on the first canvas, depicting a view with characters, animals and ruins of good pictorial quality. Large size fr...

Oil on Canvas. Central European school of the late 1700s. The large painting depicts a rural landscape, with a peasant dwelling on the left, the shepherdess in the left foreground wa...

Circle of Giambattista Piazzetta (Venice 1683 - Venice 1754) - San Tommaso. 62.5 x 52.5 cm without frame, 72.5 x 62.5 cm with frame. Antique oil painting on canvas, in a contempora...

This lovely Old Master portrait oil painting is attributed to the circle of Michael Dahl. Painted circa 1710 the sitter is Rachel Missing, wife of Roger Hogg of Newliston, near Edinb...

Signed lower right - Julius Caesar Ibbetson (1759 – 1817). The majority of Ibbetson’s Lakeland scenes were painted to order after he had moved away to Yorkshire, and therefore lack the immediacy of the present canvas. This work is painted, with his own, inimitably pleasing style. Antique oil painting on wood panel...

Hand-coloured mezzotint engravings from: ""Phytanthoza Iconographia"", c1739, presented in hand-made parcel-gilt, ebonised and decalcomania frames. Johann Weinmann (1683-1741), a G...

Gaspare Diziani (Belluno, Italy, 1689 – Venice, Italy, 1767) Title: Cupids at play Medium: Oil on canvas Dimensions: without frame 85 x 175 cm – with frame Publications: La Pittura...

George Smith of Chichester (1714-1776) Landscape with goatherds near a waterfall Oil on canvas Signed 'Geo. Smith' lower left Canvas Size 18 x 25 i...

Thomas Burford (British, c. 1710-1779) Hare coursing outside a country house Oil on canvas Property of a gentleman From the collection of Peter Roe Dimensions: (Frame) 12.5 in. (H)...

This is an early 18th century portrait of Sir John Powell entitled "The Honorable Sr. John Powell, Knight. one of the Justices of her Majesties' Court of Common Pleas. Ano. D 1711". It was engraved and published by John King in London in 1711, after an earlier work by William Sherwin. The engraving depicts a bust length portrait of Powell wearing an elaborate fir-trimmed robe and collar. The portrait is encompassed in an ornate oval frame, sitting on a pedestal with an impressive coat-of-arms below. This engraved portrait is printed on laid, chain-linked watermarked cream-colored paper The sheet measures 15.25" high and 11.38" wide. It is adhered to an archival thick card at the upper corners, There is a 1/8" tear at the lower edge of the sheet, but the print is otherwise in very good condition. This engraving is held by museums and institutions, including the British Museum and the Harvard University Art Museum. Sir John Powell (1632-1696) was an English lawyer and judge who served as a justice of the King's Bench from 1683 until his death. He was born in Glamorganshire, Wales, and studied at Jesus College, Oxford, before being called to the bar at the Middle Temple in 1656. Powell was known for his staunch support of the monarchy and the Church of England, and he played a prominent role in the trial of the Whig leader Lord William Russell in 1683, which resulted in Russell's execution for his alleged involvement in a plot to assassinate King Charles II. Powell was also involved in the trials of several other prominent Whig politicians, including Algernon Sidney and Titus Oates. In addition to his work as a judge, Powell was also a member of Parliament for various constituencies throughout his career, and he served as Solicitor General and Attorney General for Wales under King James II. However, he opposed James's efforts to promote Catholicism and supported the Glorious Revolution of 1688, which led to James's overthrow and the installation of William and Mary as joint monarchs. Powell was known for his intellectual rigor and his legal expertise, and he authored several influential legal treatises during his lifetime. He was widely respected by his peers and by the legal community as a whole, and his legacy as a jurist and judge continues to be celebrated today. William Sherwin (1645-1709) was an English engraver who worked during the late 17th and early 18th centuries. He was born in Chesterfield, Derbyshire, and is known for his high-quality engravings of various subjects, including portraits, landscapes, and architectural views. Sherwin was trained as an engraver and worked as an apprentice to the renowned engraver Robert White. After completing his training, he went on to establish his own studio in London, where he produced a significant body of work over the course of his career. One of Sherwin's most famous works is his engraving of the portrait of John Locke...

GIOVANNI BATTISTA PIRANESI (Italian 1720-1778) VEDUTA del SEPOLCRO della Famiglia PLAUZIA per la strada che Conduce da Roma a Tivoli vicino a Ponte Lugan...

View of the Ancient Structure built by Tarquinius Superbus called the Bel Lido, and like others built by Marcus Agrippa in the time of Augustus when he cleaned all the sewers leading...

BUST In Marble Probably From Carrara Representing King Henry IV Late 18th Century" Marble BUST probably from Carrara representing King Henry IV with a laurel wreath. late 18th centur...

Half Length Portrait of Mr. Robertson Sir. Henry Raeburn ( Scottish 1756 - 1823 ) Half Length Portrait of Mr. Robertson 29x 24 Purchased, J Leger & Son,...

Circle of Jan van Huchtenburg Landscape Scene with a Soldiers Camp Oil on Canvas, 41 x 55 cm Soldier Camp Life Scene together with a wonderful golden Frame

Ancient Roman Fresco / Naval Battle from the series "Antiquities of Herculaneum", is an original etching on paper realized by Vincenzo Aloja in the 18th Century. Signed on the plat...

Portrait of an Aristocratic English Gentleman circle of Thomas Hudson (British (1701-1779) oil on canvas, framed framed: 53.5 x 45 inches painting: 45 x 40 inches provenance: private...

Skull with Sacred Writings and Tablets of the Law is a superb and colorful tempera on cardboard, realized in 1766 by an anonymous artist of ...

Rare hand colored copper plate engraving by noted Botanist Johann Wilhelm Weinmann (1683-1741) Beautiful color after 250+ years! This wonderful antique engraving is beautifully mat...

'Part of Middleham Castle, NW Riding, Yorkshire' Engraving by T Woodyer after Paul Sandby (1731-1809). From Paul Sandby's 'The Virtuosi's Museum, Containing Select Views in England...

Portrait of Johann Quantz (1697-1773), flautist and composer, wearing a blue velvet coat, waistcoat and breeches, standing in a garden landscape with ...

English School, 18th century Pen and black ink with gray wash on cream laid paper, 9 1/4 x 5 inches (238 x132 mm). 1/4 inch repaired loss, top center, to the left of the figure’s h...

Etching and engraving with hand coloring in watercolor on cream laid paper. 6 3/4 X 9 5/8 inches (170 x 244 mm), margins trimmed, image intact. Rubbing in the lower left image area obscuring the publishing information (which reads Published by Mm. Darchery, St. James Street March 11, 1783), scattered light foxing, corner loss, top left corner, well outside of image area. "SMP" collector's stamp in red ink on the verso (not in Lugt), and the name "Renier" and the initials "AR" in black ink on the verso. Colors are extremely fresh. Impressions of this work may be found in the permanent collection of the British Museum, and the Yale Center for British Art. Ex-Collection of Anne & Ferdinand Gabriel (F.G.) Renier, reknowned for their inspriational collection of children's books and works on paper, now housed in the Victoria & Albert Museum. _____ The devil officiates at the wedding of Tory Lord North, and Charles James Fox, the Whig statesman whose career spanned almost four decades in Parliament. The satirical scene is the signing of the Fox-North coalition, which was a short-lived partnership the two formed while combining forces in the House of Commons to oust then Prime Minister William Petty, Earl of Shelburne. Fox had fallen out of favor with the Irish born Shelburne, also a Whig, whose ministry remained in power just long enough to see the American War of Independence...

Two Nude Men is an etching realized by Nicholas Cochin in 1755. Signed on the plate. Good conditions with central folding. The artwork is depicted through confident strokes.

Pair of late 18th Century french oil paintings, representing the story of Susanna and the Elders & The Marriage of the Virgin.