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Dark Oil Painting

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"Light After Dark" Oil painting
Located in Denver, CO
Austin Howlett's "Light After Dark" is an original, handmade oil painting that depicts a larger
Category

2010s Surrealist Portrait Paintings

Materials

Panel, Oil

Sun Tea in Darkness, Oil Painting
By David Cheifetz
Located in Denver, CO
David Cheifetz's "Sun Tea in Darkness" is an oil painting featuring a yellow, ceramic tea pot with
Category

2010s Realist Still-life Paintings

Materials

Oil

"Sometimes We Dance through Darkness, " Oil Painting
Located in Denver, CO
Aaron Bushnell's (US based) original, handmade oil painting that depicts a small creek flowing
Category

2010s American Impressionist Landscape Paintings

Materials

Oil

Contemporary, Industrial, Dark, Oil Painting on Canvas
Located in Fort Worth, TX
Lost in Space, Daniel Blagg, Oil on Canvas, 38 x 58", 2020 A well-known figure of the contemporary
Category

2010s Still-life Paintings

Materials

Oil, Canvas

Darkness, Painting, Oil on Other
By Richard Szkutnik
Located in Yardley, PA
original city at night oil on panel :: Painting :: Contemporary :: This piece comes with an
Category

2010s Contemporary Paintings

Materials

Oil

"Darkness Rises" Oil painting
Located in Denver, CO
Todd Carpenter's (US based) "Darkness Rises" is an oil painting that depicts a city in the distance
Category

2010s Impressionist Landscape Paintings

Materials

Board, Oil

After Dark, Painting, Oil on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
Original oil on canvas on wooden stretchers, signed on the front. Certificate of authenticity
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Oil

Darkness III, Painting, Oil on Canvas
By David Sipko
Located in Yardley, PA
is a small oil on canvas that will look great in your home or place of business. I think it will
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Paintings

Materials

Oil

"A Dark Light" Oil painting
Located in Denver, CO
Todd Carpenter's (US based) "A Dark Light" is an oil painting that depicts a dark landscape of a
Category

2010s Impressionist Landscape Paintings

Materials

Board, Oil

Dark Skies, Stylised Impressionist Oil Painting
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Dark Skies, Stylised Surrealist Oil Painting French School, 1970's Oil painting on canvas, unframed
Category

1970s Abstract Impressionist Landscape Paintings

Materials

Oil

Dark Mountains Landscape Antique Oil Painting
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
European School, early 20th century oil on board, unframed board: 11.5 x 15.5 inches provenance
Category

Early 20th Century Victorian Landscape Paintings

Materials

Oil

Girl in Dark Water, Painting, Oil on Canvas
By Allan O'Marra
Located in Yardley, PA
A young girl swims in a lake with a dark storm having just passed by. :: Painting :: Realism
Category

2010s Realist Paintings

Materials

Oil

Night Doorway, dark, mysterious urban architectural oil painting
By Gregory Frux
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Night Doorway, Oil on panel, nocturne Park Slope, Brooklyn Dr. Rowland S. Russell PhD. writes
Category

2010s American Realist Paintings

Materials

Panel, Oil

"Falling Through Darkness". Contemporary Abstract Oil Painting
By Kate Bell
Located in Brecon, Powys
Falling through darkness, falling from a wing Kate Bell paints in the most exuberant way; her
Category

2010s Abstract Abstract Paintings

Materials

Oil

Peonies on the dark background, Painting, Oil on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
Peonies on a dark background. The painting was created in 2021. High-quality materials, strong
Category

2010s Realist Paintings

Materials

Oil

Contemporary, Dark, American Oil Painting on Canvas
Located in Fort Worth, TX
GUN SALE is an oil on canvas painting standing at 54 inches tall and 41 inches wide, featuring an
Category

2010s American Realist Landscape Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Abstract Oil Painting, "Light in the Darkness"
Located in San Diego, CA
This is an original abstract oil on canvas painting by San Diego artist, Khalid Alkaaby. It's
Category

2010s Abstract Abstract Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Dark Cup on Grey, Oil painting
By Jon Doran
Located in Denver, CO
Jon Doran's (UK based) "Dark Cup on Grey" was painting in 2019 and it depicts a grey cup with an
Category

2010s Realist Still-life Paintings

Materials

Oil

Flowers in a Dark Room, Painting, Oil on Canvas
By Thong Le
Located in Yardley, PA
Oil painting on canvas; a riot of blooming flowers in an interior room :: Painting :: Impressionist
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist Paintings

Materials

Oil

Cream rose on dark brown background, Painting, Oil on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
Welcome to my gallery of original flower arrangements made with professional oil paints. My
Category

2010s Photorealist Paintings

Materials

Oil

Parisian Abstract Expressionist Original Oil Painting - Dark Tones
By Yvette Dubois Habasque
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Stunning original oil painting by the French abstract artist, Yvette Dubois-Habasque (1929-2016
Category

Late 20th Century Abstract Expressionist Abstract Paintings

Materials

Oil

Dark Structure, Abstract Surrealist Original Oil Painting, Signed
By Herve Carrier
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Dark Structure, Abstract Surrealist Original Oil Painting, Signed By French artist Herve Carrier
Category

Mid-20th Century Abstract Abstract Paintings

Materials

Oil

Dark Modern Abstract, French Artist, Original Oil Painting
By Franck Duminil
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Dark Modern Abstract, French Artist, Original Oil Painting By French artist Franck Duminil (1933
Category

Mid-20th Century Abstract Abstract Paintings

Materials

Oil

Glow in the Dark, Abstract Oil Painting, 2021
By Usha Shukla
Located in Boston, MA
Artist Commentary: This painting is part of the series "Silver Linings". This series is inspired
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Abstract Paintings

Materials

Oil, Wood Panel

"Leftovers", abstract, dark colors, mixed media, oil, painting
By Leslie Zelamsky
Located in Natick, MA
Leslie Zelamsky’s “Leftovers” exudes glimmering lights and rich darks. Its three dimensional
Category

2010s Abstract Abstract Paintings

Materials

Mixed Media, Tar, Oil, Wood

Dark Rainy Day in Fifth Avenue, Painting, Oil on Wood Panel
By Chin H Shin
Located in Yardley, PA
Oil on Wood 32 x 24 x 1 inches from New York City It is Rainy day in New York City, people walk
Category

2010s Contemporary Paintings

Materials

Oil

Abstract Portrait, Dark Colours, Picasso Style, Original Oil Painting
By Beatrice Werlie
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Abstract Portrait, Dark Colours, Picasso Style, Original Oil Painting By French artist Beatrice
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Abstract Paintings

Materials

Oil

Portrait - 20 century, Figurative oil painting, Dark tones
By Adam Marczukiewicz
Located in Warsaw, PL
ADAM MARCZUKIEWICZ (born 1958) He studied at the Faculty of Graphic Arts at the Academy of Fine Arts in Krakow at ateliers of professors Jan Swiderski and Zbyslaw Marek Maciejewski, ...
Category

1990s Other Art Style Figurative Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Portrait - 21 century, Figurative oil painting, Dark tones
By Adam Marczukiewicz
Located in Warsaw, PL
ADAM MARCZUKIEWICZ (born 1958) He studied at the Faculty of Graphic Arts at the Academy of Fine Arts in Krakow at ateliers of professors Jan Swiderski and Zbyslaw Marek Maciejewski, ...
Category

1990s Other Art Style Figurative Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Macabre Style, Abstract Portrait, Dark Colours, Original Oil Painting
By Beatrice Werlie
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Macabre Style, Abstract Portrait, Dark Colours, Original Oil Painting By the French artist Beatrice
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Abstract Paintings

Materials

Oil

Noir Portrait Oil Painting on Canvas Dark In Stock
By Maya Kulenovic
Located in Utrecht, NL
Noir Portrait Oil Painting on Canvas Dark In Stock Maya Kulenovic’s paintings have been exhibited
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Portrait Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

"Nature's Time" - Horizontal surreal painting, oil on canvas - dark blue sky.
By Fernando Vignoli
Located in Miami, FL
creating canvases in oil on canvas, where he applies his own technique, which, according to him, allows a
Category

2010s Surrealist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

1930's French Oil Painting Dark River Woodland Landscape
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
oil painting on board, unframed measures: 7.75 high by 9.5 inches wide condition: overall very good
Category

Mid-20th Century Impressionist Landscape Paintings

Materials

Oil

Anima Damnata, oil painting, figurative, expressionism, dark, green, asylum
Located in London, GB
creates a series of figurative paintings that have at their core characters inspired by genuine mental
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Figurative Paintings

Materials

Oil, Canvas

In Obscura, dark, symbolic, oil painting, mysterious, surrealistic hands
By Audrey Anastasi
Located in Brooklyn, NY
dark, enigmatic, and some might say, unsettling, place. These figures could be heros and heroines of
Category

2010s Contemporary Figurative Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

DARK STAR HALO PASS - Bright & Bold Surrealist Cloud Oil Painting, Green
By Jason Stout
Located in Signal Mountain, TN
Martin in 2001 and a MFA in Painting from the University of Texas at San Antonio in 2004. Stout’s work
Category

2010s Contemporary Paintings

Materials

Oil, Canvas

"Clean Hands", night scene, dark, blue, white, black, red, oil painting
By Alexandra Rozenman
Located in Natick, MA
"Clean Hands" by Alexandra Rozenman is a small 12 x 12 x 3” oil painting on wood mounted in a
Category

2010s Contemporary Paintings

Materials

Wood Panel, Crayon, Oil

JiWei Chen Impressionist Original Oil Painting "Lotus Series - Dark Blue"
Located in New York, NY
Title: Flower Series - Dark Blue Medium: Oil on canvas Size: 11.5 x 8 inches Frame: Framing options
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist Landscape Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

"Dark Window", Contemporary, Abstract, Oil Painting, Canvas on Board, Framed
By Nancy Newman Rice
Located in St. Louis, MO
. Louis, MO Barnes Hospital, St. Louis, MO "Dark Window", Contemporary, Abstract, Oil Painting, Canvas on
Category

2010s Contemporary Abstract Paintings

Materials

Oil

Dark Picasso Style Portrait, Cubist Abstract, Original Oil Painting, Signed
By Beatrice Werlie
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Dark Picasso Style Portrait, Cubist Abstract, Original Oil Painting, Signed By French artist
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Abstract Paintings

Materials

Oil

Wearing Hat (portrait, western, cowboy, oil painting, vintage, shadow, dark)
By Rudolf Kosow
Located in Quebec, Quebec
Superbe original painting on canvas depicting the mysterious portrait of a man in the shadow
Category

2010s American Realist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Oil, Canvas

Dark, Moody, Wet, Detailed, Oil Paintings, Medium Sized, Natural Diptych
Located in Fort Worth, TX
, detailed, oil paintings, on medium-sized panels. They portray natural landscapes of the ground, right after
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Landscape Paintings

Materials

Panel, Wood Panel, Oil

Watcher, oil painting of mysterious falling figure, eyes, dark space
By Audrey Anastasi
Located in Brooklyn, NY
dark, enigmatic, and some might say, unsettling, place. These figures could be heros and heroines of
Category

2010s Contemporary Figurative Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Asylum House, oil painting, figurative, expressionism, dark, green, asylum, brus
Located in London, GB
The panting is an interpretation of the goddess Rhea, who is an important figure in Greek mythology, primarily known as a Titaness and the mother of several major Olympian gods. She ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Figurative Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Untitled - Contemporary dark oil abstract painting, Young art, Polish artist
By Klaudia Lata
Located in Warsaw, PL
KLAUDIA LATA (born in 1993) Graduate of painting at the Academy of Fine Arts in Katowice. Diploma
Category

2010s Abstract Abstract Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

"Blue 1", Abstract Oil Painting on Panel, Framed, Dark Colors, Geometric
By Nancy Newman Rice
Located in St. Louis, MO
. Louis, MO Barnes Hospital, St. Louis, MO "Blue 1", Abstract Oil Painting on Panel, Framed, Dark Colors
Category

2010s Contemporary Abstract Paintings

Materials

Oil, Panel

Striking Portrait, Dark Colours, "Un Jour de Pluie", Original Oil Painting
By Beatrice Werlie
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Striking Portrait, Dark Colours, "Un Jour de Pluie", Original Oil Painting By French artist
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Abstract Paintings

Materials

Oil

Night rendez-vous - Oil abstract painting, Dark colors, Geometric, Colorful
By Ellis Ostrowska
Located in Warsaw, PL
born to artistic parents from whom she inherited the love for art, especially painting. She paints
Category

Early 2000s Other Art Style Abstract Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Darkness at the Coast, Original painting, Contemporary Seascape, Mixed media oil
By James Bonstow
Located in Deddington, GB
. Additional information: Darkness at the Coast by James Bonstow Original Painting Oil on Canvas Image size: H
Category

2010s Contemporary Landscape Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Dark Storm, Fan Painting #6 (Contemporary Abstract Painting in Dark Palette)
By Christopher Engel
Located in Hudson, NY
Abstract painting on curved canvas in dark brown palette oil on canvas on unique artist made
Category

Early 2000s Abstract Abstract Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

"Tree Line Sublime" contemporary impasto oil painting of dark forest landscape
By Emily Persson
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
"Tree Line Sublime" is a contemporary oil painting of a dark forest landscape. Persson works
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist Landscape Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Birth by Franco Salas Borquez - Contemporary oil painting, seascape, wave, dark
By Franco Salas Borquez
Located in Paris, FR
Birth is a unique oil on canvas painting by contemporary artist Franco Salas Borquez, dimensions
Category

2010s Contemporary Landscape Paintings

Materials

Oil, Canvas

Holding Leather Bag (Brown leather bag surréaliste oil painting vintage dark)
By Rudolf Kosow
Located in Quebec, Quebec
, vintage, oil painting, strangeness, contemporary surrealistic, unsettling, contemporary figurative
Category

2010s Surrealist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Dark Window, Dark Cobalt Blue, Teal, Dark Violet Geometric Abstract Painting
By David Collins
Located in Kent, CT
painting in shades of dark blue from navy to deep cobalt. Variations of soft and hard edged shapes layer
Category

2010s Contemporary Abstract Paintings

Materials

Linen, Silk, Oil, Acrylic

20th Century German Modernist Oil Painting Dark Grey and Red Abstract
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
rediscovered again. Medium: oil painting on board, unframed Size: 11 x 9 inches Condition: very good and
Category

20th Century Modern Abstract Paintings

Materials

Oil

The Shadow Kiss - 2023, dark figurative oil painting by Daniela Astone
By Daniela Astone
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
" brings to mind Gustav Klimt's famous 1908 painting of the same name but instead of an abstracted gold
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Linen, Canvas, Oil

Red and Mauve Fireworks on Dark Background Squared Abstract Oil Painting
By Jean Soyer
Located in Clermont-Ferrand, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
This painting is not and does not need to be framed. Jean Soyer does not name his works, but gives
Category

2010s Abstract Abstract Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Guild - abstract dark bright earth tone color stripe horizontal oil painting
Located in New York, NY
. Painted with oil on canvas mounted on wood board, the softly undulating stripes of light and dark generate
Category

2010s Abstract Abstract Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Small Vintage Industrial Colors Orange Grey Dark Abstract Landscape Oil Painting
By Jean Soyer
Located in Clermont-Ferrand, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
This artwork features some reliefs of matter. This painting is delivered with a simple black wood
Category

2010s Abstract Abstract Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Large Dark Strokes on White & Orange Background Abstract Oil Painting, Untitled
By Jean Soyer
Located in Clermont-Ferrand, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
This lyrical abstraction painting from Jean Soyer seems to feature a fight between two waves on the
Category

2010s Abstract Abstract Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

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Dark Oil Painting For Sale on 1stDibs

Surely you’ll find the exact dark oil painting you’re seeking on 1stDibs — we’ve got a vast assortment for sale. You can easily find an example made in the Abstract style, while we also have 86 Abstract versions to choose from as well. If you’re looking for a dark oil painting from a specific time period, our collection is diverse and broad-ranging, and you’ll find at least one that dates back to the 18th Century while another version may have been produced as recently as the 21st Century. If you’re looking to add a dark oil painting to create new energy in an otherwise neutral space in your home, you can find a work on 1stDibs that features elements of black, gray, brown, blue and more. Finding an appealing dark oil painting — no matter the origin — is easy, but Jean Soyer, David Konigsberg, Jennifer Hornyak, Hunt Slonem and Audrey Anastasi each produced popular versions that are worth a look. Artworks like these — often created in paint, oil paint and fabric — can elevate any room of your home. A large dark oil painting can be an attractive addition to some spaces, while smaller examples are available — approximately spanning 0.4 high and 2.1 wide — and may be better suited to a more modest living area.

How Much is a Dark Oil Painting?

The price for a dark oil painting in our collection starts at $150 and tops out at $290,000 with the average selling for $3,527.

Finding the Right paintings for You

Painting is an art form that has spanned innumerable cultures, with artists using the medium to tell stories, explore and communicate ideas and express themselves. To bring abstract, landscape and still-life paintings into your home is to celebrate and share in the long tradition of this discipline.

When we look at paintings, particularly those that originated in the past, we learn about history, other cultures and countries of the world. Like every other work of art, paintings — whether they are contemporary creations or works that were made during the 19th century — can often help us clearly see and understand the world around us in a meaningful and interesting way.

Cave walls were the canvases for what were arguably the world’s first landscape paintings, which depict natural scenery through art. Portrait paintings and drawings, which, along with sculpture, were how someone’s appearance was recorded prior to the advent of photography, are at least as old as Ancient Egypt. In the Netherlands, landscapes were a major theme for painters as early as the 1500s. Later, artists in Greece, Rome and elsewhere created vast wall paintings to decorate stately homes, churches and tombs. Today, creating a wall of art is a wonderful way to enhance your space, showcase beautiful pieces and tie an interior design together.

No matter your preference, whether you favor Post-Impressionist paintings, animal paintings, Surrealism, Pop art or another movement or specific period, arranging art on a blank wall allows you to evoke emotions in a room while also showing off your tastes and interests. A symmetrical wall arrangement may comprise a grid of four to six pieces or, for an odd number of works, a horizontal row. Asymmetrical arrangements, which may be small clusters of art or large, salon-style gallery walls, have a more collected and eclectic feel. Download the 1stDibs app, which includes a handy “View on Wall” feature that allows you to see how a particular artwork will look on a particular wall, and read about how to arrange wall art. And if you’re searching for the perfect palette for your interior design project, what better place to turn than to the art world’s masters of color?

On 1stDibs, you’ll find an expansive collection of paintings and other fine art for your home or office. Browse abstract paintings, portrait paintings, paintings by popular artists and more today.

Questions About Dark Oil Painting
  • 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2024
    To identify an oil painting, look closely at its surface. Compared to other paintings, pieces produced in oils usually show off a variety of textures across the canvas, and the paint will appear layered on. If you're looking to determine the name, age or creator of a work, try snapping a photo with your smartphone’s camera and conducting a reverse image search online. Shop a diverse assortment of oil paintings on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 27, 2024
    Oil paint was invented during the 7th century A.D. The earliest examples of oil paintings have been traced to Afghanistan and depict scenes related to the Buddhist religion. Records dating back to the 12th century indicate that early Christian monks in Europe used oil paints to decorate furniture, and a century later, some artists began finishing tempera paintings with touches of oil paint. It wasn't until the 15th century that oil paints became a common medium for European painters, when Flemish artists like Jan van Eyck began favoring them over tempera. Explore a variety of oil paintings on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMay 3, 2024
    Jan van Eyck is widely considered by art historians to be the father of oil painting. While the usage of oil paints dates back to 7th-century China, the Flemish painter popularized the material, using oils to produce highly detailed works such as The Arnolfini Portrait. The Northern Renaissance master also influenced many other artists, such as Hugo van der Goes and Gerard David. Shop an assortment of fine art on 1stDibs.
  • Lilac Gallery Ltd.March 17, 2021
    An abstract oil painting and an artwork that is made with oil paint on a medium like canvas, wood board, or other panels like canvas board. And the 'abstract' term refers to the Movement & Style of the piece. As abstraction indicates a departure from reality in the depiction of imagery in art, the artist creates a painting where the subject, shape, form, color, and line, is created with no particular references of the world but as a composition that may exist with a degree of independence from its vision.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2024
    To maintain oil paintings that you purchased for your home, experts suggest that you keep them out of direct sunlight. Prolonged exposure to the sunlight coming in from a window can fade the colors in your painting. Do not hang your oil painting near a heat source or where it can get wet (bathrooms and kitchens are not safe for your oil painting).

    You may wish to dust your oil painting so that layers of dust don’t begin to gather on its surface. This should only be considered to remove loose dust. Never spray any chemical substance on your oil painting. Do not use a damp cloth to dust your oil painting. (Again, your painting should not be exposed to moisture.)

    To remove loose dust, use a soft brush that measures approximately one to two inches wide with natural-hair bristles. Do not use a dust cloth or a feather duster, as those items may catch or leave threads or feathers behind. Do not apply pressure or dust your painting for an extended period of time.

    If you think that your oil painting is considerably dirty or believe that other issues may be at work, experts strongly suggest that you consult with a professional conservator.

    Read about how to arrange your wall art and find oil paintings for sale on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    Yes, Dali did indeed use oil paint. Although he used oil paints in the traditional method, he would at times add natural resin or linseed oil to play with fluidity and texture. You can shop a selection of Salvador Dali’s pieces from some of the world’s top art dealers on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021
    You can use oil paint on wood as long as you prep the wood first. The first thing you should do is seal the wood with a primer. Ideally, paint two coats of sealer onto the wood so that the paint doesn't cause the wood to rot over time.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    The largest oil painting in the world is in the main hall of the Doge's Palace located in Venice, Italy. Its name is Il Paradiso. Tintoretto painted it around 1592, and it measures 22 meters by 7 meters. Shop a large collection of oil paintings on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertSeptember 25, 2019

    Varnishing an oil is not necessary, but it is recommended because it protects the painting and corrects surface irregularities.

  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    To find the artist of an oil painting, look on the back of the canvas. Sometimes, you will find the artist’s name and the year of production on the back. If the canvas is in a frame, gently peel away the paper covering the back to access the canvas. In the event you cannot find any identifying information, seek the help of a licensed art appraiser. Shop a selection of oil paintings on 1stDibs.
  • La ChrysomeleFebruary 24, 2021
    Any artwork is worth and only worth the price someone is willing to pay for it (unfortunately, whether one can afford it or not is another story). Different people may have different reasons to attribute value to an artwork, from the purest (falling in love with it) to what is often considered as the most vile (speculation), going through remembrance, pride of ownership, or brag, among other reasons. For most living artists, the price of the artworks is usually set by the artist and/or the gallery which represent him or her, by type and size of artwork, and corresponds to an equilibrium price between the rate at which artworks are sold and the rate at which new artworks are produced by the artist. For artworks from dead artists sold by professional dealers, the price is often based on auctions results for similar pieces of the same artists. Oil paintings are usually pricier than other techniques because it is considered more difficult to master, but also because oil paintings are known for their ability to last centuries.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    To tell if your oil painting is authentic, first check the signature of the artist to start your research. Use a magnifying glass to check the texture of the painting, and finally check the back for the painting’s original stretchers. Shop a selection of expertly vetted artwork from some of the world’s top art dealers on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2023
    Because the value of an oil painting can vary greatly based on the artist, the subject and the condition of the piece, it's generally best to work with a certified appraiser. A knowledgeable professional can evaluate the piece and estimate its value. Shop a variety of authentic oil paintings from some of the world’s top galleries on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    The best place to find oil paintings and discover new artists is at local art galleries. There are also many online art dealers who provide information about artists and sell their works. On 1stDibs, you’ll discover a variety of art styles from master oil painters.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2024
    Yes, sunlight affects oil paintings. Keep your oil paintings away from direct sunlight.

    To maintain oil paintings that you purchased for your home, experts suggest that you keep them out of sunlight. Prolonged exposure to the sunlight coming in from a window can fade the colors in your painting. Do not hang your oil painting near a heat source or where it can get wet (bathrooms and kitchens are not safe for your oil painting).

    You may wish to dust your oil painting so that layers of dust don’t begin to gather on its surface. This should only be considered to remove loose dust. Never spray any chemical substance on your oil painting. Do not use a damp cloth to dust your oil painting. (Again, your painting should not be exposed to moisture.)

    To remove loose dust, use a soft brush that measures approximately one to two inches wide with natural-hair bristles. Do not use a dust cloth or a feather duster, as those items may catch or leave threads or feathers behind. Do not apply pressure or dust your painting for an extended period of time.

    If you think that your oil painting is considerably dirty or believe that other issues may be at work, experts strongly suggest that you consult with a professional conservator.

    Read about how to arrange your wall art and find oil paintings for sale on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertSeptember 25, 2019

    On 1stdibs, oil paintings cost between $60 and $6,200,000.

  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2024
    Yes, oil paintings darken over time. As oil paint is made of pigment particles, the range of substances that are used as pigment in oil paint can render certain colors susceptible to aging. Slowing the aging process for an oil painting involves storing your painting properly and keeping the work out of exposed sunlight. Temperature control and humidity are also important in preserving the life of an oil painting and slowing the aging process.

    To maintain oil paintings that you purchased for your home, experts suggest that you keep them out of direct sunlight. Prolonged exposure to the sunlight coming in from a window can fade the colors in your painting. Do not hang your oil painting near a heat source or where it can get wet (bathrooms and kitchens are not safe for your oil painting).

    You may wish to dust your oil painting so that layers of dust don’t begin to gather on its surface. This should only be considered to remove loose dust. Never spray any chemical substance on your oil painting. Do not use a damp cloth to dust your oil painting. (Again, your painting should not be exposed to moisture.)

    To remove loose dust, use a soft brush that measures approximately one to two inches wide with natural-hair bristles. Do not use a dust cloth or a feather duster, as those items may catch or leave threads or feathers behind. Do not apply pressure or dust your painting for an extended period of time.

    If you think that your oil painting is considerably dirty or believe that other issues may be at work, experts strongly suggest that you consult with a professional conservator.

    Read about how to arrange your wall art and find oil paintings for sale on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMay 3, 2024
    A few things make an oil painting valuable. Age has a major impact on price, with pieces made over a century ago tending to fetch the highest prices. Who created the painting also matters. The more famous the artist, the higher the selling price for a painting is likely to be. Finally, the condition of the work and whether it is in its original frame will also impact how much it is worth. Find a diverse assortment of oil paintings on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertSeptember 25, 2019

    Oils typically command higher prices than acrylic paintings, because they generally require more skill.

  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 12, 2024
    Who made the largest oil painting in the world changes over time. While working in Valencia, Venezuela, in 2022, Italian artist Francesco Santoro created a work that is 2,033.84 square feet in size. It was used in the repair of a church that was damaged by an earthquake. Find a wide range of oil paintings on 1stDibs.

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