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.
Ancient Roman Fresco Herculaneum - Original Etching by G. Aloja - 18th Century
Located in Roma, IT
Ancient Roman Fresco from the series "Antiquities of Herculaneum", is an original etching on paper realized by Giuseppe Aloja in the 18th Century. Signed on the plate. Good c...
Etching
Antiquities of Herculaneum - Letter of the Alphabet S - Etching - 18th Century
By Carlo Nolli
Located in Roma, IT
Antiquities of Herculaneum - Letter of the Alphabet S, from the series "Antiquities of Herculaneum", is an original etching on paper realized by Carlo Nolli in the 18th century. ...
Etching
Landscape - Etching after Rembrandt - 19th Century
Located in Roma, IT
Landscape is an engraving on ivory-colored paper realized by Charles Amand Durand (1831-1905) after an etching by Rembrandt. This piece of art belongs to a late edition of the 19th c...
Etching
$260
Bust of an Old Woman - Engraving after Rembrandt - 19th Century
Located in Roma, IT
Bust of an Old Woman is an engraving on ivory-colored paper realized by Charles Amand Durand (1831-1905) after an etching by Rembrandt. This piece of art belongs to a late edition of...
Engraving
$417Sale Price|20% Off
Antiquities of Herculaneum- Original Etching By F. Cepparuli - 18th Century
Located in Roma, IT
Antiquities of Herculaneum Still Life, original etching from the end of the 18th century, realized by Francesco Cepparuli. Signed on the lower left on the plate Francesco Cepparuli....
Etching
Girl with a Basket - Engraving after Rembrandt - 19th Century
Located in Roma, IT
Girl with a Basket is an engraving on ivory-colored paper realized by Charles Amand Durand (1831-1905) after an etching by Rembrandt. This piece of art belongs to a late edition of t...
Engraving
$272
Ancient Roman Frescoes - Original Etching by Nicolò Vanni - 18th Century
Located in Roma, IT
Ancient Roman Frescoes, from the series "Antiquities of Herculaneum", is an original etching on paper realized from a design by Nicolò Vanni in the 18th century. Signed on the plate...
Etching
$260
Small Gray Landscape - Engraving after Rembrandt - 19th Century
Located in Roma, IT
Small Gray Landscape: a House and Trees beside a Pool is an engraving on ivory-colored paper realized by Charles Amand Durand (1831-1905) after an etching by Rembrandt. This piece of...
Engraving
Salmacis et Hermaphrodite - Etching by Bernard Picart - 1742
Located in Roma, IT
Black and white etching on wire rod paper, representing the Greek myth of Salmacis and Hermaphroditus. Wonderful plate with very fresh impression and a beautiful use of chiaroscuro,...
Etching
Les Alcyons - Etching by Bernard Picart - 1742
Located in Roma, IT
Black and white etching on wire rod paper, representing the Greek myth of Alcyone. Wonderful plate with very fresh impression and a beautiful use of chiaroscuro, from the volume “Le...
Etching
$320
The Artist's Mother - Engraving after Rembrandt - 19th Century
Located in Roma, IT
The Artist's Mother is an enrgraving on ivory-colored paper realized by Charles Amand Durand (1831-1905) after an etching by Rembrandt. This wonderful piece of art belongs to a late ...
Engraving
Animal Figures - Original Etching by Various Old Masters - 1750s
Located in Roma, IT
Animal Figures from Ancient Rome, from the Series "The Antiquities of Herculaneum Exposed", is anoriginal etching from the end of the 18th century, made by Various Old Masters...
Etching
$948
Ancient Roman Statue - Original Etching by Pietro Campana - 18th Century
Located in Roma, IT
Ancient Roman Statue, from the series "Antiquities of Herculaneum", is an original etching on paper realized by P. Campana in the 18th century. Signed on the plate, on the lower rig...
Etching
The Sacrifice of Savage in Quitchi - Manitù - Etching by G. Pivati - 1746/1751
Located in Roma, IT
The Sacrifice of Savage in Quitchi - Manitù is a fine etching, hand-watercolored, realized by the engraver Gianfrancesco Pivati . This original print, representing an important ri...
Etching
Jacob Haaringh "'Young Haaringh" - Engraving after Rembrandt - 19th Century
Located in Roma, IT
Jacob Haaringh "'Young Haaringh" is an engraving on ivory-colored paper realized after an etching by Rembrandt dated 1655. This wonderful piece of art belongs to an edition of the la...
Engraving
Ancient Roman Statue - Original Etching by R. Casanova - 18th Century
Located in Roma, IT
Ancient Roman Statue, from the series "Antiquities of Herculaneum", is an original etching on paper realized by Casanova in the 18th century. Signed on the plate, on the lower left....
Etching
Palazzo S.Marco della Sereniss. Rep. di Venezia - Etching by Giuseppe Vasi
Located in Roma, IT
Palazzo S.Marco della Sereniss. Rep. di Venezia is an etching of the Late 18th century realized by Giuseppe Vasi. Signed and titled on plate lower margin. Good conditions except f...
Etching
$1,067
Collegio Romano - Etching by Giuseppe Vasi - Late 18th Century
Located in Roma, IT
Collegio Romano is an original black and white etching of the Late 18th century realized by Giuseppe Vasi. The beautiful etching represents a glimpse of Rome. Signed and titled on ...
Etching
Chiesa di S. Maria del Rosario- Etching by Giuseppe Vasi - Late 18th Century
Located in Roma, IT
Chiesa di S. Maria del Rosario is an original black and white etching of the Late 18th century realized by Giuseppe Vasi. Signed and titled on plate lower...
Etching
$426
Ancient Roman Fresco - Etching by Vincenzo Aloja - 18th Century
Located in Roma, IT
Ancient Roman Drawing, from the series "Antiquities of Herculaneum", is an original etching on paper realized by Vincenzo Aloja in the 18th Century. Signed on the plate. Good condi...
Etching
$1,067
Palazzo Barberini - Etching by Giuseppe Vasi - Late 18th Century
Located in Roma, IT
Palazzo Barberini is an original black and white etching of the Late 18th century realized by Giuseppe Vasi. The beautiful etching represents a glimpse of Rome. Signed and titled o...
Etching
Ancient Roman Fresco - Original Etching by Carlo Nolli - 18th Century
By Carlo Nolli
Located in Roma, IT
Ancient Roman Drawing, from the series "Antiquities of Herculaneum", is an original etching on paper realized by Carlo Nolli in the 18th Century. Signed on the plate. Good conditio...
Etching
Athena Goddess Armed-Ancient Roman Art-Etching by Vincenzo Campana-18th Century
Located in Roma, IT
Athena Goddess Armed - Ancient Roman Art, from the series "Antiquities of Herculaneum", is an original etching on paper realized by Vincenzo Campana ...
Etching
Fontana e Teatro di Marcello- Etching by Giuseppe Vasi - Late 18th Century
Located in Roma, IT
Fontana e Teatro di Marcello is an original etching hand watercolored of the Late 18th century, realized by Giuseppe Vasi. Signed and titled on plate lower margin. Good conditions...
Etching
Ancient Roman Statue - Original Etching by by Francesco Cepparuli - 18th Century
Located in Roma, IT
Ancient Roman Statue, from the series "Antiquities of Herculaneum", is an original etching on paper realized by Francesco Cepparuli in the 18th century. Signed on the plate on the l...
Etching
Antiquities of Herculaneum Exposed - Original Etching - 18th Century
Located in Roma, IT
Antiquities of Herculaneum Exposed, original etching from the end of the 18th century, made by Various Old Masters. Good condition. Units of mea...
Etching
Horses, Ancient Roman Bas-Reliefs - Etching by P. Mangini - 18th Century
Located in Roma, IT
Ancient Roman Bas-Reliefs, from the series "Antiquities of Herculaneum", is an original etching on paper realized by Pietro Mangini in the 18th century. Signed on the plate on the l...
Etching
$1,067
Chiesa di S. Marcello - Etching by Giuseppe Vasi - Late 18th Century
Located in Roma, IT
Chiesa di S. Marcello is a black and white etching of the Late 18th century realized by Giuseppe Vasi. Signed and titled on plate lower margin. Good conditions and aged margins wi...
Etching
Ponte Milvio - Etching by Giuseppe Vasi - Late 18th Century
Located in Roma, IT
Ponte Milvio is an original black and white etching of the Late 18th century realized by Giuseppe Vasi. The beautiful etching represents a glimpse of Rom...
Etching
Chiesa e Monastero di S. Maria dei Sette -Etching by G. Vasi - Late 18th Century
Located in Roma, IT
Chiesa e Monastero di S. Maria dei Sette is an original black and white etching of the Late 18th century realized by Giuseppe Vasi. Signed and titled on plate lower margin. Good c...
Etching
Ancient Roman Fresco of Animals - Original Etching by V. Aloja - 18th Century
Located in Roma, IT
Ancient Roman Fresco of Animals, from the series "Antiquities of Herculaneum", is an original etching on paper realized by Vincenzo Aloja in the 18th century. Signed on the plate on...
Etching
Angel - Original Etching by Thomas Holloway - 1810
Located in Roma, IT
Angel is an original artwork realized by Thomas Holloway for Johann Caspar Lavater's "Essays on Physiognomy, Designed to promote the Knowledge and the Love of Mankind", London, Bensl...
Etching
$1,067
Palazzo Altieri - Etching by Giuseppe Vasi - Late 18th Century
Located in Roma, IT
Palazzo Altieri is an original black and white etching of the Late 18th century realized by Giuseppe Vasi. Signed and titled on plate lower margin. Quite Good conditions and aged ...
Etching
Heads of Animals - Original Etching by John Barlow - 1810
By John Barlow
Located in Roma, IT
Heads of animals is an original artwork realized by John Barlow (1759 - 1810). Original Etching from J.C. Lavater's "Essays on Physiognomy, Designed to promote...
Etching
Moscovian Christening - by G. Pivati - 1746-1751
Located in Roma, IT
Moscovian Christening Etchings, Hand-Watercoloured. Vol. VIII, Plate LXXXIX Image Dim: cm 25.5 x 18; Sheet Dim: cm 37.5 x 23.8; Passepartout Dim: cm 49 x 34 Wonderful Etchings, Ha...
Etching
Testa Quasi Colossale di Marco Aurelio - Etching by P. Fontana
Located in Roma, IT
“Testa quasi colossale di Marco Aurelio” (Almost colossal head of Marco Aurelio) is a beautiful black and white burin on paper, realized by the Italian artist Pietro Fontana (Bassano Romano,1762 – Rome, 1837), after Teodoro Matteini (Pistoia, 1754 - Venice, 1831), as the inscriptions on plates on lower margins report “Teodoro Matteini delineò./ Pietro Fontana incise a bollino Roma”. This original print is numbered on plate in Roman numerals on higher margin: “Tom II. /Tav. XXV" and is a plate from the series "Illustrazioni de'Monumenti scelti Borghesiani già esistenti nella Villa sul Pincio (..)date ora per la prima volta in luce dal cav. Gio. Gherardo De Rossi e da Stefano Piale sotto la guida di Vincenzo Feoli", by Ennio Quirino Visconti, published by Stamperia de Romanis in Rome, 1821. This old master’s original prints shows a precious piece of the Borghese's collection, the marble bust of the Roman philosopher and writer and one of the "good Roman Emperor" (according to Edward Gibbon) Marco Aurelio, represented in neoclassical style and with the traditional iconography with a thick hair and a long beard. In excellent conditions with a usual yellowing of the paper on the lower margin and some light signs of the time with an imperceptible weaving of the paper on the lower right corner, this wonderful burin preserved his fresh impression. Illustrazioni de' Monumenti scelti Borghesiani This collection in two volumes is a beautifully detailed catalog of classical sculptures collected by Prince Borghese (1730-1800) in his Villa on the Pincio. Ennio Quirino Visconti (1751 - 1818) wrote the texts that accompany the large branches depicting. To these writings, which were available by the son of the illustrious archaeologist, the publishers added only a few illustrations relating to some minor monument of which copper had already been engraved. The engraved title-plate are signed by draughtsmen like Agostino Tofanelli, Stefano Tofanelli, Bernardino Nocchi, Domenico de Angelis or Teodoro Matteini, and by engravers Pietro Fontana Veneto, P. Vitali, Pietro Bettelini, Giovanni Folo Veneto, Giovanni Brunetti da Ravenna, Giovanni Ottaviani, Francesco Cecchini, Gio. Batta. Leonetti, Girolamo Carattoni, Domenico Cunego, Luigi Cunego, Alessandro Mochetti, Luigi Pizzi, Angelo Campanella or Giacomo Bossi. The Volume I shows ancient full-length statues, of the Borghese warrior by Agasias (two plates), Greek gods and heroes and Roman famous historical figures; the last two plates represents antique Egyptian deities. There are plates representing ancient bas-reliefs, sarcophagi, of mythological subjects, the Borghese Vase, portrait busts, a vase on an altar, two statues of Amor; and two modern statues, by Bernini (the Apollo and Daphne, and the David). «Très bel ouvrage» writes Brunet, «Grand ouvrage, le seul qui mérite, parmi ceux sur la villa Borgese, de figurer dans le chapitre aux Galeries et Collections» Vinet said, looking at this plate. Pietro Fontana (Bassano Romano,1762 – Rome, 1837) The Italian artist and engraver, Pietro Fontana was active in Rome and specialized in subjects dealing with the Vatican and the Papacy. He started his career as a student of Raffaello Morghen...
Etching
$1,067
Il Ponte Palatino - Etching by Giuseppe Vasi - Late 18th Century
Located in Roma, IT
Il Ponte Palatino is an original black and white etching of the Late 18th century realized by Giuseppe Vasi. Signed and titled on plate lower margin. Good ...
Etching
Monastero e Chiesa dell'Immacolata- Etching by Giuseppe Vasi - Late 18th Century
Located in Roma, IT
Monastero e Chiesa dell'Immacolata is an original black and white etching of the Late 18th century realized by Giuseppe Vasi. The beautiful etching represents a glimpse of Rome. Si...
Etching
Chiesa di S. Andrea alla Valle - Etching by Giuseppe Vasi - Late 18th Century
Located in Roma, IT
Chiesa di S. Andrea alla Valle is an original black and white etching of the Late 18th century realized by Giuseppe Vasi. Signed and titled on plate lower margin. Good conditions ...
Etching
Anticaglie Preso Il Ponte Palatino - Etching by G. Vasi - Late 18th Century
Located in Roma, IT
Anticaglie Preso Il Ponte Palatino is an original black and white etching of the Late 18th century realized by Giuseppe Vasi. Signed and titled on plate lowe...
Etching
Giardino e Casino Pontificio - Etching by Giuseppe Vasi - Late 18th Century
Located in Roma, IT
Giardino e Casino Pontificio is an original black and white etching of the Late 18th century realized by Giuseppe Vasi. The beautiful etching represents a glimpse of Rome. Signed ...
Etching
Fontana dell'Acqua Felice - Etching by Giuseppe Vasi - Late 18th Century
Located in Roma, IT
Fontana dell'Acqua Felice is an original black and white etching of the Late 18th century realized by Giuseppe Vasi. The beautiful etching represents a glimpse of Rome. Signed and...
Etching
Tuscan Proverbs - Etching by Carlo Lasinio - 1786
Located in Roma, IT
Tuscan Proverbs is an original etching realized by Carlo Lasinio in 1786. Etching and watercolour technique, in good conditions, except for some stains on the back of the yellowed p...
Etching
Portrait - Original Etching by Thomas Holloway - 1810
Located in Roma, IT
Portrait is an original artwork realized by Thomas Holloway (1748 - 1827). Original Etching from J.C. Lavater's "Essays on Physiognomy, Designed to promote the Knowledge and the Lov...
Etching
Saint Jean l'Evangeliste, Heliogravure by Maitre E.S.
Located in Long Island City, NY
Maitre E.S., After by Amand Durand, German (1420 - 1468) - Saint Jean l'Evangeliste, Year: circa 1878, Medium: Heliogravure, Size: 6.5 x 4 in. (16.51 x 10.16 cm), Printer: Amand D...
Etching
$711
Vienna, Antique Map from "Civitates Orbis Terrarum" - Etching - Old Master
Located in Roma, IT
Braun G., Hogenberg F., "Vienna", from the collection "Civitates Orbis Terrarum", Cologne, T. Graminaeus, 1572-1617. Image Dim: cm 15 x 47, Dim: cm 20 x 53. Wonderful B/W Aquatint r...
Etching, Aquatint
$4,981
Monumento al Popolo - Drawing by Giovanni Fontana - 16th Century
Located in Roma, IT
Monumento al popolo is an original drawing realized by Giovanni Fontana in the 16th century. Ivory colored paper attached on an ivory colored sheet. Includes frame: 48.5 x 1 x 44 c Beautiful drawing in graphite, representing the funeral monument...
Pencil, Paper
$355
Marriage and Birth among the Incas - Etching by G. Pivati - 1746/1751
Located in Roma, IT
Image dimensions: 25.5 x 18 cm. Marriage and Birth among the Incas is a fine etching, hand-watercolored, realized by the engraver Gianfrancesco Pivati. This original print, represe...
Etching
Ancient Roman Statues - Original Etching by Nicola Fiorillo - 18th Century
Located in Roma, IT
Ancient Roman Statue, from the series "Antiquities of Herculaneum", is an original etching on paper realized by Nicola Fiorillo in the 18th century. Signed on the plate, on the lowe...
Etching
$284Sale Price|40% Off
Antiquities of Herculaneum- Original Etching By F. Cepparuli - 18th Century
Located in Roma, IT
Antiquities of Herculaneum Exposed, original etching from the end of the 18th century, realized byFrancesco Cepparuli. Signed on the lower left on the plate Francesco Cepparuli. Go...
Etching
Ancient Roman Statue - Original Etching by Vincenzo Segoni - 18th Century
Located in Roma, IT
Ancient Roman Statue, from the series "Antiquities of Herculaneum", is an original etching on paper realized by Vincenzo Segoni in the 18th century. Signed on the plate on the lower ...
Etching
Portrait of Henry IV - Original Etching by Thomas Holloway - 1810
Located in Roma, IT
Portrait of Henry IV is an original artwork realized by Thomas Holloway (1748 - 1827). Original Etching from J.C. Lavater's "Essays on Physiognomy, Designed to promote the Knowledg...
Etching
Le Repos Pendant la Fuitre en Egypte - Original Lithograph - 17th Century
Located in Roma, IT
Le Repos Pendant la Fuitre en Egypte is an original Etching realized by an unknown French artist in 17th century. Late 18th century edition. Good condition except for a missing co...
Etching
$711
Venditori e Mangiatori di Maccheroni - Watercolor by M. De Vito - 1820 ca.
Located in Roma, IT
Watercolour on paper stuck on grey cardboard, 1820 c.a. Wonderful watercolour both for the drawing and for the fineness of the colours representing a typical Italian scene of ordina...
Watercolor
Liber Veritatis - Original B/W Etching after Claude Lorrain - 1815
Located in Roma, IT
Image dimensions: 21 x 27 cm. Liber Veritatis - Plate 95 is a beautiful black and white etching and aquatint on paper realized by the Italian artist Ludovico Caracciolo, after Claud...
Etching, Aquatint
$515Sale Price|25% Off
Ancient Roman Statue - Original Etching by Giovanni Morghen - 18th Century
Located in Roma, IT
Ancient Roman Statue, from the series "Antiquities of Herculaneum", is an original etching on paper realized by G. Morghen in the 18th Century. Signed on the plate, on the lower lef...
Etching
$1,200
The New Testament /// Old Masters Biblical Religious Engraving Dutch Angel Art
By Michael Burghers
Located in Saint Augustine, FL
Artist: Michael Burghers (Dutch, c.1647/1648-1727) Title: "The New Testament" Portfolio: Holy Bible *Signed by Burghers in the plate (printed signature) lower left Year: 1680 Medium...
Watercolor, Laid Paper, Engraving, Etching, Intaglio
Liber Veritatis - B/W Etching after Claude Lorrain - 1815
Located in Roma, IT
Image dimensions: 21 x 27 cm. Liber Veritatis - Plate 98 is a beautiful black and white etching and aquatint on paper realized by the Italian artist L...
Etching, Aquatint
$3,605Sale Price|20% Off
Sleeping Boy - Drawing by Giovanni Fontana - 16th Century
Located in Roma, IT
Sleeping Boy is an original modern artwork realized in the 16th century by Giovanni Fontana. Ivory colored sheet attached on an ivory colored cardboard (...
Paper, Pencil
Diana Goddess - Ancient Roman Art - Original Etching - 18th Century
Located in Roma, IT
Diana Goddess - Ancient Roman Art, from the series "Antiquities of Herculaneum", is an original etching on paper realized by Anonymous Artist in the 18th...
Etching