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.
La Tempete Etching by Claude Lorrain, Old Masters, Early 17th Century
Located in Milwaukee, WI
"La Tempete" is an original etching by Claude Lorrain (Claude Gellee). This is Claude's earliest dated etching (1630). The work depicts a storm-tossed sea with ships on the verge of ...
Etching
Arcade du Molard, Old Masters Hand colored etching by Charles Bastard
Located in Long Island City, NY
Charles Bastard, Swiss (1854 - 1924) - Arcade du Molard, Year: 1890, Medium: Hand colored etching on Arches, signed, titled and dated in the plate, Image Size: 6 x 8 inches, Size: ...
Etching
Venus apparaissant a Enee, Heliogravure by Marcantonio Raimondi
By Marcantonio Raimondi
Located in Long Island City, NY
Marcantonio Raimondi, After by Amand Durand, Italian (1480 - 1534) - Venus apparaissant a Enee, Year: 1875, Medium: Heliogravure, Size: 8 x 5 in. (20.32 x 12.7 cm), Printer: Amand...
Etching
La Peste, Heliogravure by Marcantonio Raimondi
By Marcantonio Raimondi
Located in Long Island City, NY
Marcantonio Raimondi, After by Amand Durand, Italian (1480 - 1534) - La Peste, Year: 1875, Medium: Heliogravure, Size: 8.25 x 10 in. (20.96 x 25.4 cm), Printer: Amand Durand, Desc...
Etching
$9,226Sale Price|20% Off
De Jode Winter Landscape Paint Oil on canvas Old master 17th Century Flemish Art
Located in Riva del Garda, IT
Hans de Jode (The Hague, 1630 - Vienna, 1663) Fantasy winter landscape with lake and city on the banks About 1650 Oils on canvas (62 x 93, in frames 82 x 112) The work is accompanied by an expertise of Dr. Fred G...
Oil
$2,750
The So-Called Tempio della Tosse, Near Tivoli. Interior Upright
Located in Fairlawn, OH
The So-Called Tempio della Tosse, Near Tivoli. Interior Upright (Veduta interna del Tempio della Tosse) "Temple of the Cough" Etching, 1764 Signed in the plate From: Vedute di Roma...
Etching
$480Sale Price|20% Off
William the Conqueror Giving a Charter to his Nephew Alan Earl of Britain
Located in Saint Augustine, FL
Artist: Francis Drake (English, 1696-1771) Title: "William the Conqueror Giving a Charter to his Nephew Alan Earl of Britain" (Plate 12) Portfolio: Eboracum: or The History and Antiquities of the City of York Year: 1736 (First edition) Medium: Original Engraving on watermarked light laid paper Limited edition: Unknown Printer: William Bowyer...
Laid Paper, Engraving
$330Sale Price|20% Off
Closure Giclée Print on Photographic Paper, Old Masters Style, 2018
By Ugne Pouwell
Located in London, GB
'Closure' London, United Kingdom 2018 Limited edition of 20. John Gibson 'Hylas Surprised by the Naiades' According to Greek mythology, Hylas was the beautiful son of King Thiodom...
Photographic Paper, Giclée
The New Athenaeum, Waterloo Place - Hand-Colored Engraving after Thomas Shepherd
By Thomas Hosmer Shepherd
Located in Long Island City, NY
Thomas Hosmer Shepherd, After by James Tingle, British (1793 - 1864) - The New Athenaeum, Waterloo Place, Medium: Hand Colored Engraving, Image Size: 3.75 x 5.75 inches, Frame Siz...
Engraving
$1,500
Joseph et la femme de Putiphar, Heliogravure by Marcantonio Raimondi
By Marcantonio Raimondi
Located in Long Island City, NY
Marcantonio Raimondi, After by Amand Durand, Italian (1480 - 1534) - Joseph et la femme de Putiphar, Year: 1875, Medium: Heliogravure on laid paper, Size: 9 x 10 in. (22.86 x 25.4...
Etching
Venus sortie du Bain, Heliogravure by Marcantonio Raimondi
By Marcantonio Raimondi
Located in Long Island City, NY
Marcantonio Raimondi, After by Amand Durand, Italian (1480 - 1534) - Venus sortie du Bain, Year: 1875, Medium: Heliogravure, Size: 7 x 5 in. (17.78 x 12.7 cm), Printer: Amand Dura...
Etching
Quivisia; Portesia /// Antique Botanical Botany Plants Science Engraving Buffon
By Georges-Louis Leclerc, Comte de Buffon
Located in Saint Augustine, FL
Artist: Georges-Louis Leclerc, Comte de Buffon (French, 1707-1788) Title: "Quivisia; Portesia" (Octandreie, Monogynie, Plate 302) Portfolio: Histoire Naturelle Year: 1749-1789 Medium...
Watercolor, Laid Paper, Engraving, Intaglio
La poesie, Heliogravure by Marcantonio Raimondi
By Marcantonio Raimondi
Located in Long Island City, NY
Marcantonio Raimondi, After by Amand Durand, Italian (1480 - 1534) - La poesie, Year: 1875, Medium: Heliogravure, Size: 7 x 6 in. (17.78 x 15.24 cm), Printer: Amand Durand, Descri...
Etching
La danse d'amours, Heliogravure by Marcantonio Raimondi
By Marcantonio Raimondi
Located in Long Island City, NY
Marcantonio Raimondi, After by Amand Durand, Italian (1480 - 1534) - La danse d'amours, Year: 1875, Medium: Heliogravure, Size: 5 x 6.75 in. (12.7 x 17.15 cm), Printer: Amand Dura...
Etching
$14,452
19th century Portrait Spencer Perceval Attributed To George Francis joseph
By George Francis Joseph
Located in York, GB
A late 18th early 19th century oil on canvas Portrait of Prime Minister Spencer Perceval, bust-length, in an interior, holding papers.Attributed to George Francis Joseph...
Oil
Portrait du Titien, Heliogravure by Agostino Carracci
Located in Long Island City, NY
Agostino Carracci, After by Amand Durand, Italian (1557 - 1602) - Portrait du Titien, Medium: Heliogravure, Size: 13.25 x 9.5 in. (33.66 x 24.13 cm), Printer: Amand Durand, Descri...
Etching
Anatomical Study – Testicular Structure of.. - Etching by Juste Chevillet - 1771
Located in Roma, IT
Tom. X, Pl. VI, p. 50. From Histoire Naturelle, générale et particulière. Paris, 1771. Etching and engraving on laid paper. Sheet size: 24.5 × 19.5 cm. A highly detailed anatomical...
Etching
Comparative Anatomy – Internal Reproductive..- Etching by Juste Chevillet - 1771
Located in Roma, IT
Tom. X, Pl. XLIX, p. 334. From Histoire Naturelle, générale et particulière. Paris, 1771. Etching and engraving on laid paper. Sheet size: 24.5 × 19.5 cm. A finely executed anatomi...
Etching
Marine Invertebrates and Shell Anatomy - Etching by Jacques Baron - 1771
Located in Roma, IT
Tom. X, Pl. XXXVI, p. 194. From Histoire Naturelle, générale et particulière. Paris, 1771. Etching and engraving on laid paper. Sheet size: 24.5 × 19.5 cm. A finely engraved scient...
Etching
Microscopic Structure of Animal and... - Etching by Jacques Baron - 1771
Located in Roma, IT
Tom. X, Pl. XXXVIII, p. 250. From Histoire Naturelle, générale et particulière. Paris, 1771. Etching and engraving on laid paper. Sheet size: 24.5 × 19.5 cm. A refined scientific p...
Etching
$212
Flying Squirrel (Écureuil volant)–Ventral... - Etching by Jacques Menil - 1771
Located in Roma, IT
Tom. X, Pl. XXIII, p. 114. From Histoire Naturelle, générale et particulière. Paris, 1771. Etching and engraving on laid paper. Sheet size: 24.5 × 19.5 cm. A finely executed zoolog...
Etching
Comparative Anatomy – Pregnant Uterus with...- Etching by Jacques de Sève - 1771
Located in Roma, IT
Tom. X, Pl. XLVII, p. 334. From Histoire Naturelle, générale et particulière. Paris, 1771. Etching and engraving on laid paper. Sheet size: 24.5 × 19.5 cm. A finely executed anatom...
Etching
$212
Anatomical Study – Stomach and Duodenal... - Etching by Jacques de Sève - 1771
Located in Roma, IT
Tom. X, Pl. XLVIII, p. 334. From Histoire Naturelle, générale et particulière. Paris, 1771. Etching and engraving on laid paper. Sheet size: 24.5 × 19.5 cm. A finely executed anato...
Etching
Anatomical Studies – Liver and Associated... - Etching by Antoine Defehrt - 1771
Located in Roma, IT
Tom. X, Pl. XII, p. 50. From Histoire Naturelle, générale et particulière. Paris, 1771. Etching and engraving on laid paper. Sheet size: 24.5 × 19.5 cm. A finely executed anatomica...
Etching
Comparative Osteology – Forelimb and Claw... - Etching by Jacques de Sève - 1771
Located in Roma, IT
Tom. X, Pl. XXXIII, p. 178. From Histoire Naturelle, générale et particulière. Paris, 1771. Etching and engraving on laid paper. Sheet size: 24.5 × 19.5 cm. A finely detailed compa...
Etching
Anatomical Study-Intestinal and Reproductive...-Etching by Jacques de Sève- 1771
Located in Roma, IT
Tom. X, Pl. XXXI, p. 178. From Histoire Naturelle, générale et particulière. Paris, 1771. Etching and engraving on laid paper. Sheet size: 24.5 × 19.5 cm. A finely executed anatomi...
Etching
$212
Animaux spermatiques – Microscopic Studies - Etching by Jacques de Sève- 1771
Located in Roma, IT
Planche II, p. 186. From Histoire Naturelle, générale et particulière. Paris, 1771. Etching and engraving on laid paper. Sheet size: 24.5 × 19.5 cm. A finely engraved scientific pl...
Etching
Anatomical Studies-Heart, Kidney and ...-Etching by Jacques de Sève- 1771
Located in Roma, IT
Tom. III, Pl. 14, p. 274. From Histoire Naturelle, générale et particulière. Paris, 1771. Etching and engraving on laid paper. Sheet size: 24.5 × 19.5 cm. A finely executed anatomi...
Etching
$212
Animaux Spermatiques – Microscopic Studies - Etching by Jacques de Sève- 1771
Located in Roma, IT
Planche III, p. 200. From Histoire Naturelle, générale et particulière. Paris, 1771. Etching and engraving on laid paper. Sheet size: 24.5 × 19.5 cm. A finely engraved scientific p...
Etching
$212
Animaux Spermatiques – Microscopic Studies - Etching by Jacques de Sève- 1771
Located in Roma, IT
Planche I, p. 180. From Histoire Naturelle, générale et particulière. Paris, 1771. Etching and engraving on laid paper. Sheet size: 24.5 × 19.5 cm. A finely engraved scientific pla...
Etching
Animaux Spermatiques (Reproductive Anatomy... - Etching by Jacques de Sève- 1771
Located in Roma, IT
Planche V, p. 228. From Histoire Naturelle, générale et particulière. Paris, 1771. Etching and engraving on laid paper. Sheet size: 24.5 × 19.5 cm. An early scientific plate illust...
Etching
Animaux Spermatiques du Lapin et du... - Etching by Jacques de Sève- 1771
Located in Roma, IT
Planche VI, p. 238. From Histoire Naturelle, générale et particulière. Paris, 1771. Etching and engraving on laid paper. Sheet size: 24.5 × 19.5 cm. A scientifically important plat...
Etching
Giovanni Piranesi Marble Urns and Vases and Lamps Etching C.1770
Located in San Francisco, CA
G.B. Piranesi Marble Urns and Vases and Lamps Etching c.1770 Beautiful 18th century etching by Giovanni Battista Piranesi (1720-1778) Loose translation of the text: Knight Gio. Bat...
Etching
Camera sepolcrale
Located in Fairlawn, OH
Camera sepolcrale Etching 1743 Signed in the bottom left corner From: Prima Parte, 1743 Second edition: 1750-1778 Watermark: R 37-39 A lifetime impression printed during Piranesi’s life, before the plates are moved to Paris by his sons in the 1790’s Condition: Excellent Image size: 14 5/8 x 9 3/4 inches Reference: Robison 20 iii/V Piranesi In Rome: Prima Parte di Architetture e Prospettive "Although Piranesi studied architecture in Venice, he never was able to find work in the field other than a few jobs involving remodeling in Rome. While Piranesi was struggling to support his architectural endeavors upon his arrival in Rome in 1740, he spent a short period of time in the studio of master painter Giovanni Battista Tiepolo (1696-1770) in addition to his apprenticeship with Giuseppe Vasi. The first production of Piranesi’s early years in Rome and a culmination of his training under Vasi, Tiepolo, and his uncle, was the Prima Parte di Architetture e Prospettive (1743). The Prima Parte was a collection of twelve etchings of imaginary temples, palaces, ruins, and a prison. During this time, Piranesi was still developing the unique style of etching he is known for today, and as such the Prima Parte differs significantly in technique compared to later works. In the Frontispiece of the Prima Parte, Piranesi’s lines are definite and exact with very little flow to them, designed in the form of traditional etching. The detail is immaculate, and yet perspective of the piece is oddly simple and familiar to the viewer. Piranesi’s technique employs miniscule markings and lines, intricately woven together to create a stippling effect. The Prima Parte, described as “rigid” by art historian Jonathan Scott, came to be seen as a stark contrast to his later sketches, which were much lighter and freer. Influenced by the style of Tiepolo, which epitomized the lightness and brightness of the Rococo period, Piranesi adopted some of the more painterly techniques of the masters he apprenticed under. Piranesi made the medium of etching appear as though it was a sketch or a painting, hence a “freer” and more fluid design in his later works. For example, the frontispiece of the Prima Parte read as an etching to Piranesi’s audience, but in his later vedute, the style of etching almost appears to be made of brushstrokes. Moreover, at the same time Piranesi was working on the Prima Parte, he aided the artist Giambattista Nolli. There is a small section of Nolli’s map...
Etching
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
Le Loir - Etching by Buvée d’Amérique - 1771
Located in Roma, IT
Plate from Buffon's Histoire Naturelle, Générale et Particulière. Paris: Imprimerie Royale, 1770s (Tom. VIII, 1771 ed.). Tom. VIII – Le Loir Plate XXIV, p. 192 Copper engraving Sheet...
Etching
Anatomical Study - Etching by Louis Lergrand - 1771
Located in Roma, IT
Plate from Buffon's Histoire Naturelle, Générale et Particulière, Tom. XI Paris, Imprimerie Royale, 1771 Plate XVIII, p. 276 Copper engraving Sheet size: approx. 24.5 × 19.5 cm This...
Etching
$212
Anatomical Plate – Internal Structure of... - Etching by Antoine Defehrt - 1771
Located in Roma, IT
Plate from Buffon's Histoire Naturelle, Générale et Particulière. Tom. XI, Pl. XVII, p. 276 Paris, 1771 Copperplate engraving on laid paper Approx. 24.5 × 19.5 cm A finely engraved ...
Etching
Comparative Anatomical Plate – Male.. - Etching by Antoine Defehrt - 1771
Located in Roma, IT
Histoire Naturelle, Générale et Particulière Tom. XI, Pl. XV, p. 276 Paris, 1771 Copperplate engraving on laid paper Approx. 24.5 × 19.5 cm A finely detailed anatomical engraving il...
Etching
Comparative Anatomical Study–Pathological... - Etching by Antoine Defehrt - 1771
Located in Roma, IT
Plate from Buffon's Histoire Naturelle, Générale et Particulière. Tom. XI, Pl. XXIII, p. 276. Paris, 1771 Copperplate engraving on laid paper Approx. 24.5 × 19.5 cm A detailed anato...
Etching
Anatomical Studies - Etching by Antoine Defehrt - 1771
Located in Roma, IT
Plate from Buffon's Histoire Naturelle, Générale et Particulière. Paris, 1771. Copperplate engravings (etchings), approx. 24.5 x 19.5 cm each. A group of finely engraved anatomical ...
Etching
Anatomical Study - Etching by Antoine Defehrt - 1771
Located in Roma, IT
Plate from Buffon's Histoire Naturelle, générale et particulière. Tome XI – Plate VIII, p. 202. Paris, Imprimerie Royale, 1771. Engraving (etching and burin), approx. 24.5 × 19.5 cm....
Etching
Osteological and Dental Studies - Etching by Juste Chevillet - 1771
Located in Roma, IT
Plate from Buffon's Histoire Naturelle, générale et particulière. Tome XI – Plate VI, p. 142. Paris, Imprimerie Royale, 1771. Engraving (etching and burin), approx. 24.5 × 19.5 cm. ...
Etching
Digestive Organs - Etching by Jacques Baron - 1771
Located in Roma, IT
Plate from Buffon's Histoire Naturelle, générale et particulière. Tome XI – Plate XII, p. 276. Paris, Imprimerie Royale, 1771. Engraving (etching and burin), approx. 24.5 × 19.5 cm. ...
Etching
Animal Anatomy - Etching by Buvée d’Amérique - 1771
Located in Roma, IT
Plate from Buffon's Histoire Naturelle, Générale et Particulière Paris, Imprimerie Royale, 1771 Tome VIII – Plate III, p. 26 Original copperplate engraving 24.5 x 19.5 cm Fine 18th...
Etching
La Musaraigne (the Shrew) - Etching by Buvée d’Amérique - 1771
Located in Roma, IT
Plate from Histoire Naturelle, Générale et Particulière. Paris, Imprimerie Royale, 1771 Tome VIII – La Musaraigne Plate X, p. 50 Original copperplate engraving 24.5 x 19.5 cm Fine ...
Etching
Male Reproductive and Associated Internal...- Etching by Buvée d’Amérique - 1771
Located in Roma, IT
Tome VIII – Plate VIII, p. 54, from Buffon's Histoire Naturelle, Générale et Particulière. Fine 18th-century copperplate engraving from the 1771 edition of Buffon’s monumental Histo...
Etching
Osteology of the Mole (La Taupe) - Etching by Buvée d’Amérique - 1771
Located in Roma, IT
Tome VIII – Plate XV, p. 108, from Buffon's Histoire Naturelle, Générale et Particulière. Fine 18th-century copperplate engraving from the 1771 edition of Buffon’s monumental Histoi...
Etching
Animal Anatomy Studies - Etching by Buvée d’Amérique - 1771
Located in Roma, IT
Tome VIII – Plate XIII, p. 108, from Buffon's Histoire Naturelle, Générale et Particulière. Copper engraving. Paris, 1771. Sheet size: approx. 24.5 x 19.5 cm. A finely engraved comp...
Etching
Anatomy and Skeletons - Etching by Jacques de Sève - 1771
Located in Roma, IT
Tome X – Plate LVI, p. 362, from Histoire Naturelle, Générale et Particulière, Paris 1771. Copper engraving. Paris, 18th century. Sheet size: approx. 24.5 x 19.5 cm. A finely engrav...
Etching
Anatomy and Skeletons - Etching by Jacques de Sève - 1771
Located in Roma, IT
Tome X – Plate LIV, p. 348 from Histoire Naturelle, Générale et Particulière, Paris 1771. Copper engraving. Paris, 18th century. Sheet size: approx. 24.5 x 19.5 cm. An important com...
Etching
Anatomical Analysis - Etching by Antoine Defehrt - 1771
Located in Roma, IT
Tome X – Plate VIII, p. 50 from Buffon's Histoire Naturelle, Paris, 1771. Copper engraving. Paris, 18th century. Sheet size: approx. 24.5 x 19.5 cm. A finely executed anatomical eng...
Etching
Anatomical Studies - Etching by Jacques de Sève - 1771
Located in Roma, IT
Plate from Buffon's Histoire Naturelle, Générale et Particulière Tome III, Plate IV, page 224 Paris: Imprimerie Royale, 1771 Copperplate engraving on laid paper (approx. 24.5 × 19.5...
Etching
Anatomical Studies - Etching by Jacques de Sève - 1771
Located in Roma, IT
Plate from Buffon's Histoire Naturelle, Générale et Particulière Tome III, Plate VI, page 202 Paris, Imprimerie Royale, 1771 Copperplate etching and engraving on laid paper Plate ma...
Etching
Anatomical Studies - Etching by Jacques Baron - 1771
Located in Roma, IT
Plate from Buffon's Histoire Naturelle, Tome III – Pl. 9, p. 228 This finely engraved copperplate presents a comprehensive anatomical study of the head and brain, integrating muscul...
Etching
Animal Anatomy - Etching by Jacques Baron - 1771
Located in Roma, IT
Plate from Buffon's Histoire Naturelle, Tom. III – Pl. XII, p. 242 This copperplate engraving presents a detailed anatomical study of the organ of hearing, with particular emphasis ...
Etching
Animal Anatomy - Etching by Jacques de Sève - 1771
Located in Roma, IT
Plate from Buffon's Histoire Naturelle. Tom. III – Pl. 13, p. 246 This copperplate engraving presents a comparative anatomical study of the auditory apparatus, combining sectional ...
Etching
Animal Anatomy - Etching by Jacques Baron - 1771
Located in Roma, IT
Plate from Buffon's Histoire Naturelle, 1771 Edition, Tom. III – Pl. 16, p. 266 This finely executed copperplate engraving presents a detailed anatomical study of the posterior abdo...
Etching
Animal Anatomy - Etching by Jacques Baron - 1771
Located in Roma, IT
Plate from Buffon's Histoire Naturelle, Tom. III Pl. XVII, p. 266 Copper engraving, 1771 edition This highly detailed copper engraving presents a complex anatomical study of the pe...
Etching
Animal Anatomy - Etching by Antoine Defehrt - 1771
Located in Roma, IT
Plate from Buffon's Histoire Naturelle. Pl. XXXIII, p. 280 Copper engraving, 1771 edition This elaborate copper engraving combines anatomical dissection with external zoological re...
Etching