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Old Masters Art

OLD MASTERS

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.

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Style: Old Masters
Set of Three Engravings from Nash's "History of Worcestershire" /// Landscapes
Set of Three Engravings from Nash's "History of Worcestershire" /// Landscapes

Set of Three Engravings from Nash's "History of Worcestershire" /// Landscapes

By Treadway Russell Nash

Located in Saint Augustine, FL

Artist: Treadway Russell Nash (English, 1724-1811) Title: "A View of Pershore, from Pensham hill", "A View of Shipston upon Stour", and "Kidderminster" Portfolio: Collections for the History of Worcestershire Year: 1781-1782 (First edition) Medium: Set of Three Original Engravings on watermarked laid paper Limited edition: Unknown Printer: John Nichols, London, UK Publisher: T. Payne and Son, J. Robson, B. White, Leigh and Sotheby, London, UK; Fletcher, Oxford, UK; and Lewis, Worcester, UK Sheet size (each): approx. 10.13" x 16.75" Image size (each): approx. 7" x 11.88" Reference: Upcott III, page 1330 Condition: A few light handling creases. Have been professionally stored away for decades. They are all strong impressions in excellent condition Notes: Provenance: private collection - Aspen, CO. All three works were engraved by English artist Thomas Sanders (Active: Mid-Late 18th Century) after drawings by himself. Comes from Nash's two volume "Collections for the History of Worcestershire", (1781-1782) (First edition), which consists of 75 engravings. Each work is printed from one copper plate in one color: black. There was a (Second edition) "with Additions" bound in with Volume II of this portfolio published by John White in (1799). And both the First and Second editions of "Collections for the History of Worcestershire" are based off Thomas Sanders' 1779-1781 "Perspective Views of the Market Towns within the County of Worcester". All three, "A View of Pershore, from Pensham hill", "A View of Shipston upon Stour", and "Kidderminster" have an unidentified watermark in the center of their sheets resembling "XV". Biography: Treadway Russell Nash (24 June 1724 – 26 January 1811) was an English clergyman, now known as an early historian of Worcestershire and the author of Collections for the History of Worcestershire, an important source document for Worcestershire county histories. He was a fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London. Treadway Russell Nash was born on 24 June 1724 born at Clerkenleap, in Kempsey, Worcestershire. His family were from Ombersley. They had lands there and at Claines, and had later bought lands in the Reformation around St Peter's, Droitwich. He was related to James Nash and John Nash, both MPs for Worcester. His father Richard, a grandson of Sir Rowland Berkeley, died in 1740, and Richard's eldest son in 1757. As a result, Treadway Russell Nash inherited the Russells' Strensham estates from his brother, as well as the Nash estates, and took both names. He was educated from the age of twelve at King's School, Worcester, and became a scholar at Worcester College, Oxford aged fifteen. In March 1749, he accompanied his brother on a trip to the continent, to aid Richard's health. They visited Paris for about six weeks, before spending the summer "on the banks of the Loire". They then visited "Bourdeaux, Thoulouse, Montpelier, Marseilles, Leghorn, Florence, Rome, Naples, Bologna, Venice, Padua, Verona, Milan, Lyons, and again Paris"; such expeditions are often known as the Grand Tour. On his return in late summer 1751, Nash took up a post as Vicar of Eynsham through his friend and future brother-in-law, John Martin. He also had an income as a tutor at Oxford. He took his Doctor of Divinity degree and left Oxford, having "gone out grand compounder", following the death of his brother. He also left his benefice at Eynsham in 1757. While at Oxford he had proposed a road from there to Witney (now the A40 and B4022), and also stood for Parliament. Nash married Margaret Martin...

Category

1780s Old Masters Art

Materials

Engraving, Laid Paper

Old Masters European Antique Oval Portrait of a Woman
Old Masters European Antique Oval Portrait of a Woman

Old Masters European Antique Oval Portrait of a Woman

By (After) Peter Paul Rubens

Located in Wilton Manors, FL

Beautiful portrait of a young woman in the manner of Peter Paul Rubens. Oil on oval canvas measuring 12 7/8 x 16 inches. Unsigned. Canvas was originally painted for rectangular for...

Category

Early 19th Century Old Masters Art

Materials

Linen, Oil

The Windmill by François Vivares, after Rembrandt
The Windmill by François Vivares, after Rembrandt

The Windmill by François Vivares, after Rembrandt

By Rembrandt van Rijn

Located in Middletown, NY

Engraving on cream laid paper, 8 x 5 7/8 inches (202 x 149 mm), trimmed at the platemark. Adhered at each corner to a small sheet of archival laid paper. Horizontal edge loss at the ...

Category

Mid-18th Century Old Masters Art

Materials

Handmade Paper, Laid Paper, Etching

Portrait of a lady with her son, studio of F.H. Drouais, Paris, French, 18th c.
Portrait of a lady with her son, studio of F.H. Drouais, Paris, French, 18th c.

Portrait of a lady with her son, studio of F.H. Drouais, Paris, French, 18th c.

By François Hubert Drouais

Located in PARIS, FR

Portrait of a lady with her son, Workshop of François Hubert Drouais (Paris 1727-1775) (no visible signature) French School, mid-18th century, circa 1760 Oil on canvas: h. 71.5 cm, w...

Category

Mid-18th Century Old Masters Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

The Holy Family with the Infant Saint John the Baptist
The Holy Family with the Infant Saint John the Baptist

The Holy Family with the Infant Saint John the Baptist

By Raphael (Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino)

Located in Paris, Île-de-France

STUDIO OF RAFFAELLO SANZIO, called RAPHAEL (Urbino 1483 – Rome 1520) Title The Holy Family with the Infant Saint John the Baptist Medium Pen and brown ink, brown wash, over black ch...

Category

16th Century Old Masters Art

Materials

Ink

Period Italian Neoclassical Style Signed Watercolor
Period Italian Neoclassical Style Signed Watercolor

Period Italian Neoclassical Style Signed Watercolor

By Vittorio Pisani

Located in Roma, IT

Beautiful neoclassical style artwork by the great Italian artist Vittorio Pisani Probably depicts a theatre script of Aida Signed, located and dated lower right ‘Vittorio Pisani roma...

Category

Early 20th Century Old Masters Art

Materials

Watercolor, Paper

Escuela Valenciana (XVIII), tras Juan de Juanes - Inmaculada Concepción
Escuela Valenciana (XVIII), tras Juan de Juanes - Inmaculada Concepción

Escuela Valenciana (XVIII), tras Juan de Juanes - Inmaculada Concepción

Located in Sant Celoni, ES

La obra no va firmada El estado de conservación de puede ver, es bastante bueno, solo aconsejaría una limpieza ya que está un poco sucia, pero por lo demas, muy aceptable Se presen...

Category

Late 18th Century Old Masters Art

Materials

Oil

large 18th century portrait gentleman oil on canvas
large 18th century portrait gentleman oil on canvas

large 18th century portrait gentleman oil on canvas

Located in York, GB

A fine, imposing 18th century portrait of an unknown aristocrat,housed in a gilt frame The artist is also unidentified but certainly a talented hand, in the circle of one of the fine old masters of the period. Unsigned The size overall is 148 x 121 cm whilst the painting is 128 x 101 cm In overall good condition the frame at the bottom has bowed slightly The painting has been checked whilst being cleaned and has not been affected in any way . SHIPPING Free delivery to mainland uk ,worldwide shipping available please email for quote Delivery usually within 14 working days, insured please provide telephone/email details for courier. All taxes/customs etc to be paid for by purchaser. RETURNS (The Consumer Contracts Regulations) Whilst we are sure that you will be extremely happy with your purchase, if for any reason you are not, then you are entitled to return the item to us for a refund. For all purchases made you are entitled to return the item(s) for a period of up to 14 days following receipt by you or a representative indicated by you. Please contact us to confirm that you are returning the item(s) and the reason for doing so. Upon receipt of the item(s) we will refund the purchase price via your original payment method...

Category

18th Century Old Masters Art

Materials

Oil

Four Framed Hogarth Engravings "Four Times of the Day"
Four Framed Hogarth Engravings "Four Times of the Day"

Four Framed Hogarth Engravings "Four Times of the Day"

By William Hogarth

Located in Alamo, CA

The four plates in this "Four Times of the Day" set were created utilizing both engraving and etching techniques by William Hogarth in 1738. Hogarth's original copper plates were refurbished where needed by James Heath and these engravings were republished in London in 1822 by Braddock, Cradock & Joy. This was the last time Hogarth's original copper plates were used for printing. Most were melted down during World War I for the construction of bombs. Printed upon early nineteenth century wove paper and with large, full margins as published by William Heath in 1822. The inscription below each print reads "Invented Painted & Engraved by Wm. Hogarth & Publish'd March 25. 1738 according to Act of Parliament". These large folio sized "Four Times of the Day" engravings/etchings are presented in complex gold-colored wood frames with black bands and scalloped gold inner trim. A majority of each thick impressive frame is covered with glass applied near the outer edge. Each frame measures 25.75" high, 22.25" wide and 1.88" deep. There are a few small dents in the edge of these frames, which are otherwise in very good condition. "Morning" has two focal areas of discoloration in the upper margin and some discoloration in the right margin, a short tear in the left margin and a short tear or crease in the right margin. "Noon" has a spot in the upper margin that extends into the upper image, but it is otherwise in very good condition. "Evening" has a faint spot in the upper margin, but it is otherwise in very good condition. "Night" is in excellent condition. The "Four Times of the Day" 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 Victoria and Albert Museum. Through this series Hogarth is portraying early 18th century London street life at "Four Times of the Day". His characters are exhibiting their personalities, quircks, strange activities, but he also wants to draw attention the disparities between the wealthy aristocracy and the common working class. Plate 1, "Morning" depicts morning in Covent Garden in the winter in front of Tom King...

Category

Mid-18th Century Old Masters Art

Materials

Engraving, Etching

Le Lévrier  - Etching by Jacques de Sève - 1771

Le Lévrier - Etching by Jacques de Sève - 1771

Located in Roma, IT

Buffon, Histoire Naturelle, 1767–1771 – Tom. V, Pl. XXVII (p. 300): Le Lévrier Copper engraving depicting Le Lévrier (Greyhound) standing in elegant profile within a landscaped esta...

Category

1770s Old Masters Art

Materials

Etching

19th century oil Devon coastal scene William Shayer Snr (Circle of)
19th century oil Devon coastal scene William Shayer Snr (Circle of)

19th century oil Devon coastal scene William Shayer Snr (Circle of)

By WILLIAM SHAYER SENIOR (1787-1879)

Located in York, GB

19th century oil Devon coastal scene William Shayer Snr (Circle of) A very attractive oil on canvas of cockle gatherers on the Devon coast The painting depicts a busy scene with people gathering their cockles with horses/donkeys laden with baskets ready to take to market. The painting Bears signature, also inscribed and dated 1833 (lower right) The size overall is 95 x 130cm whilst the image is 64 x 104cm (25 x 40¾ in.) Housed in the original heavy gilt frame Provenance: The property of a lady and gentleman , removed from a Cheshire country house William Shayer (1787–1879) was an English landscape painter and figure painter who became prominent during the Victorian era. A self-taught artist, who began by painting decorations on rush-bottom chairs. He moved on to painting carriages in the town of Guildford, after which he started doing heraldic painting...

Category

19th Century Old Masters Art

Materials

Oil

Multiplication Loaves Solimena Paint 17/8th Century Oil on canvas Old master Art
Multiplication Loaves Solimena Paint 17/8th Century Oil on canvas Old master Art

Multiplication Loaves Solimena Paint 17/8th Century Oil on canvas Old master Art

Located in Riva del Garda, IT

Angelo Solimena (Canale di Serino 1629 - Barra, 1716) Multiplication of the Loaves and Fishes Oil on canvas 60 x 102 cm Framed 76 x 116 cm Work accompanied by an expert repo...

Category

17th Century Old Masters Art

Materials

Oil

17th Century Dutch Old Master Ink Drawing Christ on the Cross Many Figures 1674
17th Century Dutch Old Master Ink Drawing Christ on the Cross Many Figures 1674

17th Century Dutch Old Master Ink Drawing Christ on the Cross Many Figures 1674

Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire

Christ on the Cross attributed to Jan Luyken (Dutch, 1649–1712) inscribed 1674 upper corner pencil drawing, watercolor and ink wash on paper over oard, framed framed: 12 x 11 inches ...

Category

17th Century Old Masters Art

Materials

Color Pencil, Ink, Watercolor

Leaning Nude Man (recto); Kneeling Man, Hands Tied Behind His Back (verso)
Leaning Nude Man (recto); Kneeling Man, Hands Tied Behind His Back (verso)

Leaning Nude Man (recto); Kneeling Man, Hands Tied Behind His Back (verso)

By Giovanni Francesco Barbieri (Il Guercino)

Located in Paris, Île-de-France

GIOVANNI FRANCESCO BARBIERI, known as GUERCINO (1591-1666) Leaning Nude Man (recto); Kneeling Man, Hands Tied Behind His Back (verso) Black chalk heightened with white on light blu...

Category

1620s Old Masters Art

Materials

Chalk, Charcoal

Portrait From The Dutch School, Circa 1670, Young Lady In A Garden
Portrait From The Dutch School, Circa 1670, Young Lady In A Garden

Portrait From The Dutch School, Circa 1670, Young Lady In A Garden

Located in Firenze, IT

Portrait From The Dutch School, Circa 1670, Young Lady In A Garden Before A Balustrade. Dutch school, ca. 1670. Gouache on parchment laid down on a wooden support (oak). Dimensions...

Category

17th Century Old Masters Art

Materials

Gouache, Parchment Paper

The Beheading of the King of England; Enthauptung des Königs in England
The Beheading of the King of England; Enthauptung des Königs in England

The Beheading of the King of England; Enthauptung des Königs in England

By Matthäus Merian the Elder

Located in Middletown, NY

The execution of Charles I (1600-1649) at Whitehall, January 30th 1649, in front of the Banqueting House. The executioner holding the head of Charles up to the crowd below. Engravin...

Category

Mid-17th Century Old Masters Art

Materials

Laid Paper, Engraving

Antique Spanish Old Master Oil on Wood Panel, Head Portrait of Christ
Antique Spanish Old Master Oil on Wood Panel, Head Portrait of Christ

Antique Spanish Old Master Oil on Wood Panel, Head Portrait of Christ

Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire

Artist/ School: 18/19th Century Spanish School Title :Head study of Christ Medium: oil painting on wood panel, period gilt framed panel : 6 x 5 inches Provenance: private collect...

Category

18th Century Old Masters Art

Materials

Oil

La Nativite, Heliogravure by Albrecht Dürer

La Nativite, Heliogravure by Albrecht Dürer

By Albrecht Dürer

Located in Long Island City, NY

Albrecht Durer, After by Amand Durand, German (1471 - 1528) - La Nativite, Year: 1873, Medium: Heliogravure, Size: 8 x 5 in. (20.32 x 12.7 cm), Printer: Amand Durand, Description...

Category

Late 19th Century Old Masters Art

Materials

Etching

'Jesus and the Woman at the Well, ' by Amand-Durand, Engraving
'Jesus and the Woman at the Well, ' by Amand-Durand, Engraving

'Jesus and the Woman at the Well, ' by Amand-Durand, Engraving

By Armand Durand

Located in Oklahoma City, OK

This early 19th century framed 35" x 31" engraving by artist Amand-Durand depcits an etching of 'Jesus and the Woman at the Well,' after the Dutch master, Rembrandt van Rijn. This poignant Biblical story is depicted by Arman-Durand in Rembrandt style...

Category

Early 19th Century Old Masters Art

Materials

Engraving

Escuela colonial (XVIII) - Óleo en tela - La enseñanza de santa Ana a la virgen
Escuela colonial (XVIII) - Óleo en tela - La enseñanza de santa Ana a la virgen

Escuela colonial (XVIII) - Óleo en tela - La enseñanza de santa Ana a la virgen

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 perdidas y de pintura y faltas en la ...

Category

18th Century Old Masters Art

Materials

Oil

Large 1700 Italian Old Master Nude Bather with Classical Figures Water Fountain
Large 1700 Italian Old Master Nude Bather with Classical Figures Water Fountain

Large 1700 Italian Old Master Nude Bather with Classical Figures Water Fountain

Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire

Italian School, circa 1700's Classical figures in landscape oil on canvas, framed framed: 36 x 32 inches canvas: 30 x 25 inches provenance: private collection, UK condition: very goo...

Category

Early 18th Century Old Masters Art

Materials

Oil, Canvas

Fine 17th Century Dutch Oil Painting on Wood Panel Horse & Figures Resting
Fine 17th Century Dutch Oil Painting on Wood Panel Horse & Figures Resting

Fine 17th Century Dutch Oil Painting on Wood Panel Horse & Figures Resting

Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire

The Resting Place Dutch School, mid 17th century oil painting on board, unframed canvas: 7 x 9 inches provenance: private collection condition: very good and sound condition

Category

17th Century Old Masters Art

Materials

Oil

Letter L - Etching by Luigi Vanvitelli - 18th Century

Letter L - Etching by Luigi Vanvitelli - 18th Century

Located in Roma, IT

Letter L is an Etching hand watercolored realized by Luigi Vanvitelli in 18th century. The etching belongs to the print suite “Antiquities of Herculaneum Exposed” (original title: “...

Category

18th Century Old Masters Art

Materials

Etching

Lute Player Music Metsu 18th Century Paint Oil on canvas Old master Flemish Art
Lute Player Music Metsu 18th Century Paint Oil on canvas Old master Flemish Art

Lute Player Music Metsu 18th Century Paint Oil on canvas Old master Flemish Art

Located in Riva del Garda, IT

Gabriel Metsu (Leiden, 1629 – Amsterdam, 1667) follower The Lute Player First half of the 18th century Oil on canvas 61 x 47 cm Framed 76 x 61 cm This high-quality painting...

Category

18th Century Old Masters Art

Materials

Oil

Antique Sculpture Female Moor Venice 19th Century Gold Italy
Antique Sculpture Female Moor Venice 19th Century Gold Italy

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) ...

Category

19th Century Old Masters Art

Materials

Gold

French School 18th century, Portrait of a gentleman, oil
French School 18th century, Portrait of a gentleman, oil

French School 18th century, Portrait of a gentleman, oil

Located in Paris, FR

French School 18th Century Portrait of a gentleman holding his hat Oil on paper transferred on wood panel 34 x 27 cm Not signed which is normal for this type of artwork In a beautifu...

Category

1760s Old Masters Art

Materials

Oil

Rebecca At The Well Pietro Da Cortona Paint 17/18th Century Oil on canvas Italy
Rebecca At The Well Pietro Da Cortona Paint 17/18th Century Oil on canvas Italy

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...

Category

17th Century Old Masters Art

Materials

Oil

Escuela española (XVIII) - Óleo sobre tela - San Juan Bautista
Escuela española (XVIII) - Óleo sobre tela - San Juan Bautista

Escuela española (XVIII) - Óleo sobre tela - San Juan Bautista

Located in Sant Celoni, ES

Escuela Española siglo XVIII Se trata de un óleo sobre tela representando a San Juan Bautista Se presenta sin enmarcar la obra Medidas: 104 x 83 cm. El estado se puede ver, pres...

Category

18th Century Old Masters Art

Materials

Oil

Spanish school. Secretary of Pope Pius V, abbot of Husillos, bishop of Córdoba.
Spanish school. Secretary of Pope Pius V, abbot of Husillos, bishop of Córdoba.

Spanish school. Secretary of Pope Pius V, abbot of Husillos, bishop of Córdoba.

Located in Firenze, IT

Portrait of Francisco de Reynoso y Baeza.   Secretary of Pope Pius V, abbot of Husillos and bishop of Córdoba. Francisci de Reynoso. Early 17th century. Small-format portrait from the late Renaissance period. Spanish school. Size: Cm 19 x Cm 13.5 Oil on wooden panel. On the back the fine tablet is strengthened (already in ancient times) by a sheet of parchment. About 1600-1610. As often in Mannerist / Late Renaissance portraits, the image of the character is accompanied by the writing that runs at the top, adding a celebratory, historicising touch to the effigy. Let's bring back the sentence here: DON FRANCISCO DE REINOSO. CAMARERO SECRETO IESCALCO PIO QUINTO OBISCOPO CORDOBA. 68 (? O 7?) (1534, Autillo de Campos, Spain - 1601, Córdoba) Francisco de Reynoso was a Spanish cleric, chief chamberlain, and secretary to Pope Pius V, abbot of Husillos, and bishop of Córdoba. He was the fourth of eleven children. His father was the seventh Lord of Autillo de Campos, and his mother was Juana de Baeza y de las Casas, daughter of Manuel de Baeza, a lawyer of the Royal Council and at the Court of Valladolid. Francisco de Reynoso was deeply devoted to the Virgin Mary and showed a strong inclination toward religion and piety from an early age. He studied Latin, arts, and theology at the University of Salamanca. In 1562, he traveled to Rome with his brothers Pedro and Luis. In January 1566, following the death of Pope Pius IV, Cardinal Antonio Michele Ghislieri was elected pope, becoming Pius V. From this period until Ghislieri's death in 1572, Francisco de Reynoso served as his chief chamberlain and secretary. After Pope Pius V died, Francisco de Reynoso returned to Spain and lived for several years in the city of Palencia, where his brother Manuel was a canon. He supported the Society of Jesus when it was established in Palencia, providing alms to the school's clergy and funding chairs of Letters and Theology at his own expense, as well as donating a significant number of books. During the brief outbreak of the Black Plague...

Category

17th Century Old Masters Art

Materials

Parchment Paper, Oil, Wood Panel

Portrait of a Gentleman in a Red Coat and Periwig, c.1715-1725; Godfrey Kneller
Portrait of a Gentleman in a Red Coat and Periwig, c.1715-1725; Godfrey Kneller

Portrait of a Gentleman in a Red Coat and Periwig, c.1715-1725; Godfrey Kneller

By Sir Godfrey Kneller

Located in London, GB

Portrait of a Gentleman in a Red Coat and Periwig, c.1715-1725 Studio of Sir Godfrey Kneller (1646–1723) This portrait of a gentleman, presented by Titan Fine Art, is a fine and wel...

Category

18th Century Old Masters Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Peasants in a Cornfield (Boer in het veld) by David Teniers the Younger
Peasants in a Cornfield (Boer in het veld) by David Teniers the Younger

Peasants in a Cornfield (Boer in het veld) by David Teniers the Younger

By David Teniers the Younger

Located in Stockholm, SE

Remembering the magic of everyday life moments in the art of David Teniers: The art of David Teniers the Younger (1610–1690) coincided with the heyday of the Flemish Baroque and captured a great variety of motifs of his time. In this painting of a seemingly simple peasant scene lies keys to understanding both the imaginative mind of Teniers as well as why this time period produced some of the most iconic works in all of art history.  As indicated by the name, Teniers was more or less born into his profession. As the son of David Teniers the elder, himself a painter who studied under Rubens, the younger David received training in art from a very young age and had no less than three brothers who also became painters. Because of his father’s frequent financial failures that even at times saw him imprisoned, David the younger helped to rescue the family from ruin through painting copies of old masters. Essentially, the young Teniers was confronted with painting as both a passion and creative expression as well as a necessity during difficult times, an experience that would shape much of his capacity and sensitivity in his coming life. Despite the hardships, the talent and determination of Teniers was recognized and quickly expanded his possibilities. He had already spent time in France and possibly also England when he was hired by his father’s former teacher Rubens to help with a prestigious commission with mythological paintings, now considered lost, for Philip IV the king Spain. In 1644–54 Teniers was appointed dean of the Antwerp Guild of Saint Luke, manifesting his esteemed position within the artistic community. A few years afterwards he took an important step when relocating to Brussels, where Teniers yet again found new career opportunities that would prove to be very successful. As the keeper of the collections of Archduke Leopold Wilhelm, a role similar to what we now refer to as an art advisor, Teniers purchased hundreds of important artworks that manifested the prominent status of the Archduke’s collection while at the same time providing an unusual access to inspiration and knowledge for Teniers himself. Since he kept on painting during the same time, his creative scope must have seemed almost bewildering in the great variety of images and stories that he surrounded himself with.  Regardless of how glamorous and culturally stimulating the career of Teniers was, he was as open to the charm and existential importance of everyday life as he was to works of great masters and luxurious collectibles. In his impressive repertoire of genres with everything from exquisite royal portraits, interiors, landscapes and history paintings he always added something new and inventive, highlighting the possibilities of art and importance of an experimental and intuitive mind. It is difficult to single out one aspect or genre to summarize his legacy, since it lies much more in the broad virtuosity across many motifs, although he is particularly remembered for farm scenes and meticulously depicted interiors where other paintings and artworks are captured with an astonishing precision. However, the fact that he is still today one of the most known and celebrated names of the Dutch Golden Age is a proof to the magic of his work, which continues to spark dialogue and wonder in the contemporary viewer of his works. The farm boy in the field in this painting, which likely dates to the mature part of his career, is a wonderful entry into the mind of Teniers. In the tightly cropped motif, we see him standing right in the middle of the busy harvest when men, women and everyone capable were sent out in the field to collect the crop that formed the very core of their diet and survival. In the background we see a fresh blue sky interspersed with skillfully painted clouds, some trees reaching their autumnal colours and in the far distance the glimpse of a small church and village. The presence of a church in a landscape, so typical of Dutch art, served both a symbolic and visual function as a representation of faith while at the same time defining scale and distance. In the field, the work is in full action with the farmers spread out in various positions, all in the midst of hard and sweaty labour. While they are portrayed as having nothing else than the work on their mind, our farm boy seems to have his attention directed elsewhere. Standing there with his white, half open shirt, flowy curls and strong, sturdy body; his gaze is directed away, out of the picture and the scythes in his hands. He looks almost smirking, expressed with tremendous subtlety in the slight smile of his lips and big eyes, being just in the middle of losing focus on the work. What is it that steals his attention? What has he seen, or realized, or felt – to break him free of the arduous task of harvesting, if but for a moment? Here starts the wondering and the questions that are the hallmark of a great piece of art. Instead of explicitly locking in the motif in overly clear symbolism Teniers has chosen an open ended, subtle yet striking moment for us to consider. While it of course can be related to numerous other farm scene depictions of this time, and clever usages of gazes and real-life scenes to underscore various moral or symbolic meanings, the painting can be much more of a contemplation than an explanation or illustration. The ordinary nature and understated yet emotionally textured composition of the motif gives greater space for our own reactions and thoughts. Has he seen a pretty farm girl just passing by? Is he fed up with the farm life, joyously dreaming away for a minute, imagining another future? Or is he simply in need of distraction, looking away and ready for anything that can steal his attention? One quality that never seem to have escaped Teniers was that of curiosity. During all of his career he constantly investigated, expanded and experimented with not only the style and technique of painting, but with the vision of art itself. Being credited with more or less introducing farm motifs for a broader audience not only tells us of his ability to understand the demand for different motifs, but the sensitivity to transform seemingly ordinary parts of life into deep aesthetic experiences, far beyond their expected reach. The farm boy in this painting is, of course, exactly that. But with the help of one smirk the entire picture is charged with a different energy, awakening many contrasts and relationships between the calm landscape, the hard work and his own breach of effectivity, holding sharp scythes while thinking or seeing something else. It is no wonder Teniers chose to work with farm scenes as a way of investigating these intricate and delicate plays on expectations and surprises, clarity and ambivalence. It invites us to an appreciation of human everyday life that connects us with the people of 17th century...

Category

Late 17th Century Old Masters Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Old Masters art for sale on 1stDibs.

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