An assortment of 18th century old masters is available on 1stDibs. A selection of these works in the
Old Masters,
Modern and
Contemporary styles can be found today in our inventory. These items have been produced for many years, with earlier versions available from the 18th Century and newer variations made as recently as the 20th Century. Adding a colorful piece of art to a room that is mostly decorated in warm neutral tones can yield a welcome change — see the 18th century old masters on 1stDibs that include elements of
black,
brown,
gray,
gold and more. There have been many well-done artworks of this subject over the years, but those made by
Giovanni Battista Piranesi,
Rembrandt van Rijn,
Albrecht Dürer,
George Romney and
French Old Master are often thought to be among the most beautiful. Each of these unique pieces was handmade with extraordinary care, with artists most often working in
paint,
oil paint and
canvas. Some 18th century old masters are too large for some spaces — a variety of smaller iterations, measuring # 0.99 inches across, are available.
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.