Encompassing centuries of change in Europe between 1300 and 1800, from booms of prosperity to bloody revolutions, Old Masters describes a wide range of artists. The informal term was derived from the title of an artist who trained in a guild long enough to become a master, such as Leonardo da Vinci, who studied in a Florence painters’ guild. However, Old Masters paintings, prints and other art is now used to refer to work made by any artist with a high level of skill in painting, drawing, sculpture or printmaking who worked during this era.
The 15th century’s expansive trade and commerce spread culture across borders. A vibrant period of art emerged, bolstered by studies of anatomy and nature that influenced a new visual realism. From Raphael and Michelangelo in the Renaissance to Rembrandt van Rijn and Johannes Vermeer in the Dutch Golden Age, artists expressed emotion, naturalism, color and light in new ways. El Greco and Paolo Veronese were leaders in the dramatic style of Mannerism, while Caravaggio and Peter Paul Rubens demonstrated the movement and meticulous detail of Baroque art.
Historically, most attention was concentrated on male artists, but recent research and exhibitions have elevated the impactful work of women such as Rachel Ruysch and Artemisia Gentileschi. In late-18th-century France, female artists like Adélaïde Labille-Guiard and Élisabeth Vigée Le Brun were prominent names. Nevertheless, access to the academies and guilds was highly restricted for women, and even those able to establish practices were expected to adhere to portraits and still lifes rather than the grand history paintings being created by men.
Find a collection of Old Masters prints, paintings, drawings and watercolors and other art on 1stDibs.
$5,770Sale Price|20% Off
Pair of 19th century scagliola sculptures (Italian Neoclassicism) - Roman figure
Located in Varmo, IT
Pair of scagliola sculptures - Roman figures. Italian manufacture, 19th century. 51 x 26 x h 118 cm (left) - 41 x 28 x h 118 cm (right). Made entirely of scagliola. Depicting two f...
Plaster
Antique Sculpture Female Moor Venice 19th Century Gold Italy
Located in Riva del Garda, IT
Antique sculpture of a female Moor with flowering cornucopia Venice, 19th century Carved, lacquered and gilded/silvered wood Total height 202 cm (column base 82 cm, figure 120 cm) ...
Gold
Classical Torso (Female)
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Classical female torso, polished walnut.
Wood, Walnut
Late 15th-century Old Master Burgundian Netherlands carved walnut figure
Located in Wilton Manors, FL
Beautiful late 15th-century Burgundian Netherlandish portrait of a woman. Carved walnut. Original polychrome has been removed with traces at base and lower portions of figure. Minor ...
Walnut
$1,442Sale Price|33% Off
Early 19th century Empire figure bronze sculpture - woman's bust
Located in Varmo, IT
Small bronze ornament - Bust of a woman. Italy, early 19th century. 8 x 8 x h 29 cm, without base h 23 cm (not signed). Made entirely of patinated and gilded bronze. Depicting a fe...
Marble, Bronze
Italian Baroque carved wood Pietà - 18th century devotional sculpture
Located in Varmo, IT
Italian sculptor (18th century) — Pietà. 13 x 7 x h 22.5 cm. Full figure in carved, lacquered and painted wood. The group depicts the Pietà according to traditional iconography: t...
Wood, Paint
Bas-relief - Sketch of an antique scene, the procession.
Located in PARIS, FR
School of the first half of the 19th century. Bas-relief - Sketch of an antique scene, the procession. Terracotta. 29 x 38 x 6 cm With sketch on the back
Terracotta
$6,525Sale Price|20% Off
Wooden Sculptures Roman Soldiers Rome 18th Century Italy Art Gold
Located in Riva del Garda, IT
Wooden sculptures depicting a pair of full-length Roman soldiers Rome, 18th century Carved and gilded wood (walnut?) Dimensions: Maximum height (at lance) 62 cm./ Maximum width: 28 ...
Gold
Virgin of the Rosary of Chiquinquirá with Saint Anthony of Padua and Saint Andre
Located in New York, NY
Provenance: Private Collection, Uruguay, for the last 90 years. Dated 1673 on the reverse (Fig. 1), this exceptional relief is an early example of a distinctly Spanish American art...
Alabaster
$21,750Sale Price|25% Off
Erotic Sexual Mythological Marble Figural, Nude woman, Bacchante and Satyr Herm
Located in Miami, FL
Bacchic revelry. A sexy and nude curvaceous young Nymph/Bacchante makes amorous advances to a Herm - whose facial expression reflects her erotic touch. The Herm is stylized where his...
Marble
Napoleón III Jerusalem Cross, or Stations of the Cross, wood and mother of pearl
Located in Valladolid, ES
Outstanding Jerusalem Cross, or Stations of the Cross, crafted with an olive wood core and adorned with carved mother-of-pearl pieces, dating from the late 19th century. At its cente...
Wood
Eustace-Hyacinthe Langlois, called Langlois de L'Arche
Located in London, GB
Plaster 480 mm; 19 inches diameter Inscribed: ‘H. Langlois du Pont de l’Arche Archeologue Peintre Graveur par son ami P. J. David (D Angers) 1838’ Collections: Sotheby’s, 22nd May...
Plaster
Nude Male Runner Bronze patinated Classical After the Antique
Located in Miami, FL
Beautifully proportioned and handsome nude male bronze with Roman classically refined features after the Antique . It looks best with a key lighting th...
Bronze
$32,028Sale Price|20% Off
Late 15th Century By Florentine School Madonna with Child Bas-relief
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Late 15th Century Florentine School Madonna with Child Bas-relief Pietra serena (a blue-gray sandstone) 85.5 x 60.5 cm Provenance: - via Stefano Bardini purchased in 1896 by Prince ...
Sandstone
Saint Barbara France 16/17th Century Sculpture Wood Religious Old master Art
Located in Riva del Garda, IT
High relief panel depicting 'Saint Barbara' Southern France, 16th-17th century Polychrome carved wood with traces of gilding 64 x 32 cm. (good condition, with minor missing and cra...
Wood, Wood Panel
Cuzco School Baptismal Dish
By Spanish Colonial (Peruvian)
Located in New York, NY
Provenance: Manuel Ortíz de Zevallos y García, Peru; and by descent in the family to: Private Collection, New York. This impressive baptismal dish is an example of eighteenth-cent...
Silver
$1,202Sale Price|74% Off
Fabergè follower - 19th/20th century Russian marble precious stone sculpture
Located in Varmo, IT
Small sculpture in different marbles and semiprecious stones - Seated old man. Probably Russia, 19th-20th century. 7.5 x 8 x h 13.5 cm the sculpture, ...
Precious Stone
$1,442Sale Price|69% Off
Fabergè follower - 19th/20th century Russian marble precious stone sculpture
Located in Varmo, IT
Small sculpture in different marbles and semiprecious stones - Young man with samovar. Probably Russia, 19th-20th century. 6 x 6 x h 15 cm the sculptu...
Precious Stone
Vanitas Vanitatum
Located in Villafranca Di Verona, IT
Numbered and limited to 8 copies Signature: Hand-signed by artist Authenticity: Sold with certificate of Authenticity from the gallery Invoice from the gallery Sculpture: bronze, me...
Metal, Bronze
17th Century Flemish Sculpture of a Religious Figure
Located in Rochester, NY
Antique carving of a saint or martyr. 17th century Flemish hardwood carving. Wonderful wear and rich color.
Wood
$39,000
H 24 in W 17 in D 11 in
"Pioneer Family" WPA American Modernism Plaster Maquette Realism 20th Century
Located in New York, NY
"Pioneer Family," 23 1/2 x 16 1/4 x 10 3/4 inPlaster. c. 1927. Unsigned. Realism The Smithsonian has a cast of this sculpture in its collection. Pictured on the cover of “The Sculpt...
Plaster
$1,120Sale Price|20% Off
H 12.5 in W 6.5 in D 9 in
After Botero Bronze Sculpture of Man on Horse, Dark Patina, Edition 50
Located in Cuauhtemoc, Ciudad de México
This AFTER BOTERO sculpture is a very beautiful, faithful reproduction in the style of BOTERO'S work that has sold very well here on 1st Dibs. Please give us up to 10 working days to...
Marble, Bronze
Virgin and Child
Located in Wien, Wien
OUTSTANDING MADONNA Bavaria Around 1515/20 Lime wood carved Original, polychrome version Height 60 cm This masterfully carved, full-round Madonna was created around 1515-20 in...
Wood
Male Classical Torso
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Male classical torso.
Wood, Walnut
$3,250
H 21 in W 10 in D 7 in
Figure of Crouching Venus/Naked Aphrodite, 19th Century Italian School Sculpture
Located in Beachwood, OH
Bronze Figure of Crouching Venus, or The Naked Aphrodite, 19th Century Italian School Bronze raised on a marble base 21 in. h. x 10 in. w. x 7 in. d., overall 18 in. h. x 8.5 in. w....
Marble, Bronze
$4,568
H 11.82 in W 5.52 in D 7.88 in
1920s Italian Art Decò Signed Bronze Sculpture Nude of Woman
By Gaetano Martinez
Located in Roma, IT
Wonderful Italian sculpture representing a seated maiden. The artwork rests on a square marble base Signed on the base “Gaetano Martinez Roma” According a written opinion by Prof. Al...
Marble, Bronze
$4,800Sale Price|20% Off
H 12.5 in W 9 in D 5 in
Seated Nude Woman Sculpture, Painted Plaster, Inscribed, Early 20th Century
Located in Beachwood, OH
William Zorach (American, 1887-1966) Seated Woman Painted plaster Inscribed underside "V" 12.5 x 9 x 5 inches Provenance: The Tatti Family Collection Bill Zorach was born in Lithuan...
Plaster
$3,712Sale Price|25% Off
H 10 in W 3.25 in D 1.5 in
Mano Luna (rare giltwood sculpture)
Located in Aventura, FL
Carved giltwood sculpture. Signed Pedro Friedberg on the underside of the base. Size: 10 x 3.25 x 1.5 inches. Certificate of Authenticity is included. Artwork is in excellent co...
Gold Leaf
$21,750Sale Price|25% Off
H 54.5 in W 24 in D 13.5 in
Erotic Sexual Mythological Marble Figural, Nude woman, Bacchante and Satyr Herm
Located in Miami, FL
Bacchic revelry. A sexy and nude curvaceous young Nymph/Bacchante makes amorous advances to a Herm - whose facial expression reflects her erotic touch. The Herm is stylized where his...
Marble
$4,000Sale Price|20% Off
H 15 in W 7 in D 7 in
19th Century Bronze Bust of Young Napoleon as Caesar
Located in Beachwood, OH
After Antonio Canova (Italian, 1757-1822) Bust of Young Napoleon as Caesar, 19th Century Hallow cast bronze with verdigris patina, attached to rouge...
Marble, Bronze
$3,712Sale Price|25% Off
H 10 in W 3.25 in D 1.5 in
Mano Sol (rare giltwood sculpture)
Located in Aventura, FL
Carved giltwood sculpture. Signed Pedro Friedberg on the underside of the base. Size: 10 x 3.25 x 1.5 inches. Certificate of Authenticity is included. Artwork is in excellent co...
Gold Leaf
$2,762Sale Price|35% Off
H 12 in W 13 in D 8 in
"Evolution, Bison" (2019) By Julia Mulligan, Original Ceramic Sculpture
Located in Denver, CO
"Evolution, Bison" (2019) by Julia Mulligan is an original, handmade ceramic and gold leaf sculpture on a wooden base that depicts a bison with gold horns. My childhood, from about...
Gold Leaf
Sold
H 37.01 in W 27.96 in
Sculpture Nativity Spain 16th Century Wood Old master
Located in Riva del Garda, IT
High relief sculpture depicting the Nativity Spain (Seville) - second half of the 16th century Carved and engraved wood, polychrome with gold finishes Dimensions: 94 x 71 cm. ...
Wood
Sold
H 25.2 in W 11.42 in D 10.63 in
Pair Sculptures Winged Angels Wood Tuscany 17/18th Century Old master Gold Art
Located in Riva del Garda, IT
Pair of sculptures depicting two winged angels in carved wood Tuscany, late 17th century Carved, gilded and polychrome wood Dimensions: Height 64 cm - ...
Wood
Sold
H 7.09 in W 6.3 in D 9.85 in
Antique Italian sculptor - 18/19th century terracotta sculpture - Memento Mori
Located in Varmo, IT
Terracotta sculpture - Memento mori. Italy, 18th-19th century. 16 x 25 x h 18 cm. Entirely in terracotta. - This item is sold with a certificate of authenticity with legal validi...
Terracotta
Sold
H 13 in W 9.45 in D 10.63 in
Large White Marble Head of Alexander the Great Rome 17th century Sculpture
Located in Pistoia, IT
Bellissima e imponente testa neoclassica in marmo di Alessandro Magno, Italia, Roma, XVII secolo. Fine Arts export certificate available. Alexander the Great (356-323 B.C.), who enj...
Marble
Sold
H 7.49 in W 4.34 in D 5.52 in
Ancient style Italian sculptor - Late 18th century figure sculpture - Spinario
Located in Varmo, IT
Bronze table sculpture - Spinario (copy from the antique) - Italy, late 19th century. 11 x 14 x h 19 cm. Entirely in chiseled bronze. - The work is a late nineteenth-century copy ...
Bronze
Sold
H 13.78 in W 31.89 in D 5.12 in
Baroque Italian Sculptor - 17th century carved wood sculpture - God father
Located in Varmo, IT
Carved wooden sculpture - God the Father blessing - Italy, 17th century 81 x h 35 x 13 cm. Entirely in carved wood. Condition report: Good state of conservation of the sculptural ...
Wood
Sold
H 31.89 in W 11.82 in D 11.82 in
Follower of Antonio Canova - Pair of 19-20th century neoclassical sculptures
Located in Varmo, IT
Pair of sculptures in glazed scagliola - Dancers (from Canova). Italy, 19th-20th century. h 81 x 30 x 30 cm. Entirely in glazed terracotta. The sculptures take inspiration from th...
Terracotta
Sold
H 8.27 in W 11.82 in D 1.58 in
Georg Christian Freund, Terracotta Relief, Signed and Dated 1899
Located in Stockholm, SE
A fine terracotta relief of Venus and Cupid by Georg Christian Freund, (1821 - 1900), a Danish sculptor. Signed and dated 1899. Mounted in the original hand carved frame, possibly m...
Terracotta
Sold
H 17.72 in W 5.52 in
Pair Bas-reliefs Spring Autumn Flemish Sculptor 17th Century Wood
Located in Riva del Garda, IT
Antichità Castelbarco SRLS is proud to present: Flemish sculptor of the 17th century Pair of bas-relief panels depicting the Allegory of Spring and the Allegory of Autumn Oak wood ...
Wood
Pair Mirrors Venice 18th Century Height Cm. 130 Wood Gold Glass
Located in Riva del Garda, IT
Antichità Castelbarco SRLS is proud to present: Pair of mirrors (Italy, Venice) 18th century Carved and gilded wood Antique mercury silvered glass mirror Maximum dimensions: Height...
Gold
Sold
H 27.96 in W 18.12 in D 7.09 in
Neoclassical sculpture in Rome- Late 18th century Italian marble - Old centaur
Located in Varmo, IT
White marble sculpture (Italy, 18th-19th century) - Old Centaur. 46 x 18 x h 71cm. Entirely in white marble. - The work takes up the Roman original from Villa Adriana and kept in ...
Marble
Sold
H 9.82 in W 16.13 in D 2.75 in
Hercules carrying the World, a sculpture after Annibale Carracci's fresco
By Annibale Carracci
Located in PARIS, FR
This vigorous terracotta was inspired by a fresco created by Annibale Carracci to decorate the ceiling of the Camerino Farnese, a room on the ground ...
Terracotta