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.
$5,074
Fine Antique Classical Roman Landscape Figures Boats Merchant Port Ancient City
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
The Embarkation of the Queen of Sheeba British School, early 19th century, apparently unsigned though the previous owner insisted it was. after the earlier painting by Claude Lorrai...
Oil
Fine Large Oil Painting Portrait of the Lady with the Fan Diego Velazquez
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Portrait of the Lady with a Fan English School, second half 20th century after Diego Velazquez's (1599-1660) original painting oil painting on canvas, unframed canvas : 36 x 28 inche...
Oil
$8,939
Portrait Of Conrad Scheiffart Von Merode Zu Weilerswist, Early 17th-Century
By Gortzius Geldorp
Located in Cheltenham, GB
This distinguished early 17th-century portrait, attributed to Flemish Renaissance artist Gortzius Geldorp (1553-1618), depicts Conrad Scheiffart von Merode zu Weilerswist, a Rhenish ...
Canvas, Oil
$7,020Sale Price|20% Off
Rebecca At The Well Pietro Da Cortona Paint 17/18th Century Oil on canvas Italy
Located in Riva del Garda, IT
Rebecca at the Well Follower of Pietro da Cortona (Cortona 1596 - Rome 1669) Oil on canvas (50 x 66 cm. - Framed 63 x 84 cm.) The painting depicts the biblical episode from the...
Oil
Madonna and Child - Italian 17th century religious Old Master art oil painting
Located in Hagley, England
This beautiful Italian religious Old Master oil painting is attributed to circle of Massimo Stanzione. Painted circa 1640, the composition is the Madonna holding baby Jesus as he sta...
Oil
$2,860Sale Price|20% Off
Huge 18th Century Italian Old Master Oil Painting Still Life Fruit in Basket
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Classical Still Life of Fruit in Basket with other objects Italian artist, 18th century oil on canvas, unframed canvas: 24.5 x 33 inches provenance: private collection, UK condition:...
Oil
$8,746Sale Price|20% Off
Huge 18th Century Italian Old Master Oil Painting Figures & Animals Arcadian
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
The Arcadian Landscape Italian School, 18th century oil painting on canvas, unframed canvas size: 32 x 40 inches condition: excellent condition for its age, fully restored. provenance: from a private collection in Paris, France. Large scale classical 18th century Italian Old Master...
Canvas, Oil
$2,200Sale Price|20% Off
Very Large Antique French Old Master Oil Painting after Rembrandt, self portrait
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Artist/ School: French School, 19th century, after the earlier work by Rembrandt Title: Self portrait of the artist Medium: oil on canvas, framed in antique gilt swept frame. Fra...
Oil
$1,375Sale Price|20% Off
Fine Antique Classical Nude Draped in Robes Dancing with Dog Gold Background
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Artist/ School: Italian School, 19th century Title: Classical nude draped in robes with dancing dog. The work looks as though it might have been a ceiling...
Oil, Canvas
Portrait Gascard Paint 17th Century Oil on canvas Old master French school
Located in Riva del Garda, IT
Workshop of Pierre Mignard (1612–1695) Attributed to Henri Gascard (Paris 1635–Rome 1701) Portrait of Françoise-Athénaïs, Marquise de Montespan (1640-1707), favourite of Louis X...
Oil
$2,860Sale Price|20% Off
Huge 18th Century Italian Old Master Oil Painting Still Life Fruit Flowers & Jug
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Classical Still Life of Fruit in Basket with other objects Italian artist, 18th century oil on canvas, unframed canvas: 24.5 x 33 inches provenance: private collection, UK condition:...
Oil
$15,066
17th century portrait of the wine merchant Caspar Rommerskirchen - Old master
Located in Aartselaar, BE
17th-century German portrait of the wine merchant Caspar Roemerskirchen at the age of 26 in 1628, Franz Kessler (attr.) This highly decorative portrait depicts the 26-year-old Caspa...
Oil, Wood
$2,745Sale Price|20% Off
Fine 18th Century British Portrait of an Aristocratic Lady, Large oil painting
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Circle of Thomas Hudson (1701-1779) British. 18th Century Bust Portrait of a Lady, Oil on Canvas, Inscribed on a label verso, canvas: 30" x 25" (76.2 x 63.5cm). frame: 30 x 25 in...
Canvas, Oil
19th Century Historical English Painting David Wilkie
By Sir David Wilkie
Located in Roma, IT
Sir David Wilkie RA (18 November 1785 – 1 June 1841) “The Parish Beadle” Oil on canvas Although unsigned, this beautiful painting is undoubtedly an original work by David Wilkye as...
Oil, Canvas
Mixed Floral Arrangement in a Vase - Dutch Old Master Golden Age oil painting
Located in Hagley, England
This stunning 18th century Dutch Old Master Golden Age floral oil painting is attributed to Simon Pietersz Verelst. Painted circa 1700 it is a still life floral of a mixed flower arr...
Oil
$2,145Sale Price|20% Off
Large 18th Century European Oil Painting Portrait of Noble Lady Lace Collars
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Portrait of a Noble Lady European School, 18th century oil on canvas, framed framed: 37.5 inches canvas: 30 x 24.5 inches provenance: private collection, France condition: very good ...
Oil, Canvas
Escuela Hispano-española (XVIII) - Óleo sobre tela - Virgen Inmaculada
Located in Sant Celoni, ES
La obra se presenta enmarcada con su marco original de la época (el marco presenta faltas y desgastes) El estado de la obra se puede ver, tiene algunas faltas de pintura y faltas en...
Oil
Portrait of a Gentleman in a Landscape - British Old Master art oil painting
Located in Hagley, England
This superb British 18th century Old Master portrait oil painting is by William Williams of Norwich. It was painted circa 1780, after he had returned to England from in Philadelphia ...
Oil
$6,142Sale Price|20% Off
Venus Cupid Franceschini Paint 17/18th Century Oil on canvas Old master Italy
By Marcantonio Franceschini (Bologna 1648 - 1729)
Located in Riva del Garda, IT
Marcantonio Franceschini (Bologna 1648 - 1729) Workshop of Sleeping Venus with Cupid Oil on canvas 53 x 68 cm. In frame 71 x 91 cm. Venus, the Roman goddess of love, is port...
Oil
Escuela colonial (XVIII) - Óleo en tela - San Juanito y el cordero
Located in Sant Celoni, ES
La obra se presenta enmarcada con su marco original de la época (el marco presenta faltas y desgastes) El estado de la obra se puede ver, tiene algunas faltas de pintura y faltas en...
Oil
$3,575Sale Price|20% Off
17th Century Large Italian Old Master Oil Christ and the Penitent Canaanite
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
17th Century Italian School Christ and the Canaanite Woman oil on canvas, framed Framed: 30.5 x 35 inches in an antique gilt 'hollow' fra...
Oil
$7,271Sale Price|20% Off
Saint Sebastian Crespi Paint 17th Century Oil on canvas Old master Religious
Located in Riva del Garda, IT
Early 17th-century Lombard painter Daniele Crespi (Busto Arsizio, 1597-1600 – Milan 1630), Circle of Saint Sebastian oil on canvas Dimensions: 82 x 60 cm. In frame 100 x 7...
Oil
$10,781Sale Price|20% Off
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
$10,452Sale Price|20% Off
Elegant Georgian Young Ladies Woodland Park Antique English Oil Painting
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
'Morning Amusement' English School, circa 1800's after the painting by Sir Joshua Reynolds, British 1723-1792 oil painting on canvas, unframed please...
Oil
Hadrian's Mausoleum, Castel S. Angelo: A Framed 18th Century Etching by Piranesi
Located in Alamo, CA
This large framed 18th century etching by Giovanni Battista Piranesi entitled "Veduta del Mausoleo d'Elio Adriana ora chiamato Castello S. Angelo nella parte opposta alla Facciata de...
Etching
$8,650Sale Price|20% Off
Angel Annunciation Paint 17th Century Oil on canvas Old master Tuscany school
Located in Riva del Garda, IT
Seventeenth-century Tuscan painter Angel of the Annunciation Oil on canvas 52 x 74.5 cm Framed 94 x 71 cm The work on offer, characterised by a refined sacredness, depicts...
Oil
$11,002
Portrait of Lady in red Dress - British Old Master art female oil painting
By Michael Dahl
Located in Hagley, England
This superb British Old Master portrait oil painting is attributed to circle of noted artist Michael Dahl. Although born in Sweden, Dahl lived and worked most of his life in England ...
Oil
A view of Bath, England
Located in Stoke, Hampshire
Edmund Garvey (Kilkenny 1740-1813) A view of Bath Oil on canvas Canvas Size 20 x 28 in Framed Size 26 x 33 in Edmund Garvey (1740 – 28 May 1813) was an Irish landscape painter whose...
Oil
$123,773
Portrait of Anne Evelyn - British 18thC Old master oil painting excellent prov.
Located in Hagley, England
This stunning British 18th century Old Master portrait oil painting, with exceptional provenance, is by noted artist George Romney. It was painted in 1788, commissioned by James Evelyn of Felbridge as it is of his younger daughter Anne, aged 20 years old. James was a Doctor of Law and Anne's mother was his second wife, Jane. Felbridge house, Anne's home, was in the village of Godstone in Surrey. This superb oil painting is a seated portrait of Anne, wearing a white dress with a green sash, her forearms exposed and her hands in her lap. Anne is blessed with the most wonderful long auburn curly hair and is visually stunning. Her body is partly turned away from the artist/viewer and she is slightly gazing down at us with confident, clear eyes. Anne is pictured in a landscape with a dramatic sky behind her. Romney's brushwork on her dress, hair and the background is superb. The delicate detailing of her facial features is also stunning. Sometimes Old Master portraits can be a little staid, but this one of Anne with her wild auburn hair and bold look is just magnificent. This is a fantastic example of George Romney's work and of an 18th century British Old Master with exceptional detailed provenance. Name plate states: Anne, younger daughter of James Evelyn of Fellbridge Esq. 1788, aged 20. Romney. Provenance. With Charles Cecil Cope Jenkinson, 3rd Earl of Liverpool (1784-1851) With The Hon. Henry Berkeley Portman (1860-1923), Later 3rd Viscount Portman; with Emma, Viscountess Portman (1862-1929) By 1926; with her daughter Lady Moyra Dawson-Damer (1897-1962) Thence by family descent. Painted in 1788. There are various labels verso. Mentioned in Lord Hawkesbury's Catalogues of Portraits at Compton Place and at Buxted Park, in Sussex, 1903, p.18, no. 3, at Buxted Park, as in the 'Dining Room, South Wall'. Further Bibliography: Gower (R. S.) Romney, London, 1904, p. 175 Kidson (Alex) George Romney, A Complete Catalogue of his Paintings, New Haven and London: Yale University Press, 2015, I, p. 205, no. 422 (illus).Ward (Humphrey) and Roberts (William) Romney: A Biographical and Critical Essay, London: T Agnew & Sons, 1904, p. 51 Condition. Oil on canvas. Image size 30 inches by 24 inches and in good condition. Frame. Housed in an ornate gilt frame with name plate, 37 inches by 31 inches and in good condition. George Romney (1734-1802) was born in Dalton-on-Furness, Lancashire, on 15 December 1734, the third of the eleven children of John Romney and Anne Simpson. Leaving school at the age of eleven, he worked for eight years in his father's cabinetmaking workshop before being apprenticed to a local painter, Christopher Steele, with whom he served for two years, from 1755 to 1757, in Kendal, York, and Lancaster. He married a Kendal girl, Mary Abbot...
Oil
$11,032Sale Price|20% Off
Triumph Bacchus Mythological Spoede Paint 18th Century Oil on canvas Old master
Located in Riva del Garda, IT
Jean Jacques Spoede (Antwerp 1680 - Paris 1757) Triumph of Bacchus Oil on canvas 66 x 83 cm. - In frame 84 x 101 cm. In this fascinating painting, attributed to Jean Jacque...
Oil
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
$8,148Sale Price|20% Off
Carnival IVenice Harlequin Landscape Marcola paint 18th Century Oil on canvas
Located in Riva del Garda, IT
Marco Marcola (Verona, 1711 - 1780) Carnival scene with masks from the commedia dell'arte with Harlequin Oil on canvas, 60 x 82 cm In frame 77 x 100 cm The canvas reflects ty...
Oil
$4,098Sale Price|20% Off
Animated biblical scene
Located in Genève, GE
Work on canvas Work re-lined Plaster and gilded wood frame 86 x 105 x 7 cm
Oil
$12,721
Portrait of Jane Harris (later Jane Bigg) in White Dress and Blue Mantle c.1731
By Enoch Seeman
Located in London, GB
This exquisite portrait remained for nearly 300 years in the possession of the sitter’s descendants, preserved among the Bigg-Wither family portraits at their magnificent stately man...
Canvas, Oil
$2,640Sale Price|20% Off
Figures Dancing Classical Ancient Ruins & Landscape Large Old Master Painting
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Revelry in a Classical Landscape Italian School, early 18th century (circa 1700) oil painting on canvas, laid on board, unframed board: 20 x 36 inches provenan...
Oil
Classical Landscape - French 17th century art Old Master oil painting
Located in Hagley, England
This superb 17th century French Old Master oil painting is attributed to Jean Francois Millet. Painted circa 1670 it is a classical landscape with figures by a bend in a river in the...
Oil
Oval Portrait of a Gentleman - French Old Master c1700 art oil painting
Located in Hagley, England
This superb French Old Master oval portrait oil painting is attributed to circle of Nicolas de Largilliere. Painted circa 1700 it is a half length portrait of a gentleman in a red co...
Oil
$1,253Sale Price|20% Off
Excuela española (XVIII) - Virgen con niño - Óleo sobre tela
Located in Sant Celoni, ES
Como pueden apreciar, la obra no va firmada, es de autor anónimo Se presenta enmarcada la obra con un marco bastante actual El estado de la obra es aceptable, solo comentar que la ...
Oil
Hercules at the Crossroads, a painting by Felice Brusasorci, a Veronese painter
Located in PARIS, FR
We would like to thank Professor Sergio Marinelli for confirming the authenticity of this painting by Felice Brusasorci. His study of the artwork (in Italian), which inspired this pr...
Canvas, Oil
$11,002
Portrait of a Lady in White Dress - British 19th century art oil painting
Located in Hagley, England
This simply superb British 19th century portrait oil painting is attributed to circle of John Constable. Painted circa 1820 it is a sumptuous half length portrait of a lady in a shor...
Oil
$9,903Sale Price|20% Off
Andromeda Monster Carracci Paint 17th Century Oil on canvas Old master Italy Art
Located in Riva del Garda, IT
Agostino Carracci (1557-1602) Circle of Andromeda and the Sea Monster Oil on canvas 75 x 59 cm. - In frame 96 x 77 cm. The subject of the painting, derived from Ovid's Metamo...
Oil
$1,205Sale Price|20% Off
Escuela flamenca (siglo xviii) - Óleo sobre tela - Paisaje con figura a caballo
Located in Sant Celoni, ES
La obra no va firmada, es de autor anónimo Se presenta enmarcada la pintura El estado de la obra se puede ver, es aceptable, pero con algunas restauraciones antiguas y la tela está...
Oil
19th Century by Salvatore Postiglione Pastime of a young lady Oil on canvas
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Salvatore Postiglione (Naples, Italy, 1861 – 1906) Title: Pastime of a young lady from a good family Medium: Oil on canvas Dimensions: without frame 88.3 × 33.3 cm – with frame 115 x...
Canvas, Oil
$2,420Sale Price|20% Off
Very Large Antique French Classical Romantic Oil Painting Ancient Ruin Landscape
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Artist/ School: French School, 19th century Title: Classical Landscape with figures amongst ancient ruins. Medium: oil painting on canvas, unframed. canvas: 24.5 x 36 inches P...
Oil
$1,157Sale Price|20% Off
Excuela española (XVIII) - Jesús nazareno con la cruz - Óleo sobre tela
Located in Sant Celoni, ES
La obra no va firmada Buen estado de conservación el de la pintura, solo comentar que la tela está reentelada Se presenta enmarcada la obra Medidas obra: 72 cm x 54 cm. Medidas m...
Oil
Portrait of Sir John Wentworth and Mary, Lady Wentworth Gentleman Lady Dahl
By Michael Dahl
Located in London, GB
Portrait of Sir John Wentworth, 1st Baronet, and Mary, Lady Wentworth née Lowther c.1695–1705 Attributed to Michael Dahl (c.1659–1743) and Attributed to Thomas Murray (1663–1735) T...
Canvas, Oil
Amsterdam Harbour Scene with Figures Dutch 17th Century art marine oil painting
Located in Hagley, England
This superb Dutch 17th century Golden Age Old Master cityscape oil painting of Amsterdam is by noted artist Jacobus Storck. Painted circa 1670, ...
Oil
19th century English portrait of a White/grey hunter in a stable
Located in Woodbury, CT
English 19th century portrait of a White / Grey hunter in a stable. Charles Towne was born in Wigan in 1763. He was trained as a coach painter, and by ...
Oil, Canvas
$5,375
Vatican Hallway designed by Raphael: 18th C. Hand-colored Engraving by Volpato
Located in Alamo, CA
This is an original 18th century hand-colored copper-plate engraving by Giovanni Volpato after a drawing by Camporesi. It was the frontispiece for volume one of the rare and valuable...
Engraving
$12,102Sale Price|20% Off
Huge 16th Century Fontainebleau School Old Master Oil on Panel Baby Moses
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
The Finding of Baby Moses Fontainebleau School, circa 1580's period oil painting on thick wood (walnut wood) panel, framed framed: 32.5 x 27 inches wood: 25 x 30 inches provenance: p...
Oil
$16,503
Self Portrait of Artist - French 18th century art Old Master oil painting
Located in Hagley, England
This simply superb French Old Master self portrait oil painting is attributed to portrait artist Alexis Grimou. Painted circa 1720 it is a bust length standing portrait of the artist...
Oil
Portrait of a Lady with Pink Bow - British c 1820 Old Master art oil painting
By Sir Thomas Lawrence
Located in Hagley, England
This lovely British Old Master portrait oil painting is attributed to circle of Sir Thomas Lawrence. Painted circa 1820 it is a seated half length portrait of a beautiful lady in a b...
Oil
The Penitent Magdalene - Italian Baroque Old Master art portrait oil painting
By Giovanni Francesco Barbieri (Il Guercino)
Located in Hagley, England
This stunning Italian Baroque Old Master portrait oil painting is attributed to the circle of Guercino, Giovanni Francesco Barbieri (1591 - 1666) and it is ascribed verso. The paint...
Oil
Italian Greyhound and Friends - Italian 17thC Old Master dog art oil painting
By Francesco Fieravino
Located in Hagley, England
This stunning Old Master 17th century oil portrait painting is attributed to Francesco Fieravino, an artist famous in his day for still lifes and carpets. This painting which dates t...
Canvas, Oil
$9,401Sale Price|20% Off
Thetis Hephaestus Blanchard Mythological Paint Oil on table 17th Century French
Located in Riva del Garda, IT
Jacques Blanchard (Paris, 1600 – Paris, 1638) and workshop Thetis in Hephaestus' forge (Hephaestus gives Thetis the weapons he forged for Achilles) Oil on canvas applied to pan...
Oil
$8,148Sale Price|20% Off
Saint Catherine Religious Reni 17th Century Paint Oil on canvas Old master Italy
Located in Riva del Garda, IT
Guido Reni (Bologna 1575 - 1642) Workshop of Probably Gian Domenico Cerrini, the Cavalier Perugino (Perugia 1609 - Rome 1681) Saint Catherine of Alexandria Oil on canvas 65 x 5...
Oil
Jan Steen (1626-1679) Seguidor - Óleo sobre tela - El violinista y la aldeana
Located in Sant Celoni, ES
Sin firmar, de autor anónimo Se presenta enmarcada la obra con un marco de la época de la obra en madera policromada (el marco presenta faltas) Medidas obra: 84 x 65 cm. Medidas...
Oil
$2,640Sale Price|20% Off
Antique French Still Life Strawberry Bowl Abundant Still Life of Fruit Interior
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Still Life of Fruit French School, mid 19th century indistinctly signed lower right corner oil on canvas laid on board, framed framed: 27 x 35 inches board: 25 x 33 inches provenance...
Oil
18th-Century Spanish Baroque Oil Painting, The Divine Shepherdess, Virgin Mary
Located in Cheltenham, GB
This tender mid-18th-century Sevillian oil painting depicts the Virgin Mary as La Divina Pastora, the Divine Shepherdess. Attired in a straw hat, decorated with flora, she rests in...
Canvas, Oil
$9,402Sale Price|20% Off
Portrait Duchess Woman 17th Century Paint Van Gelder Oil on canvas Old master
Located in Riva del Garda, IT
Jan van Gelder, Italianised as Giovanni Vangheldri (Antwerp 1621 – Modena 1685) Portrait of the Duchess Vittoria Farnese d'Este (Parma, 1618 – Modena, 1649) wife of Francesco I d'E...
Oil