18th Century Neoclassical Oil Painting of the Trojan War: Briseis & Achilles
By James Thornhill
Located in London, GB
Inc. frame The subject matter and inclusion of herms on both sides shows the influence of Louis Laguerre (1663-1721) and Louis Cheron (1655-1725), two French history painters who we...
Canvas, Oil
Portrait of a Girl, 18th Century Oil Old Master
By George Knapton
Located in London, GB
Martin's Lane established by Louis Chéron and John Vanderbank. He spent three years in practice on his own, and was one of the six young founders of the Roman Club in 1723.
Canvas, Oil
Portrait of an artistic Gentleman, c. 1720s
By John Vanderbank
Located in Edinburgh, Scotland
He afterwards established his own academy in St Martin’s Lane alongside Louis Chéron, with an emphasis on drawing from life.
Oil
Sold
H 55.91 in W 46.46 in D 2.37 in
Portrait of Cecilia Scott (1682-1764) c.1728, Manor House Provenance
By John Vanderbank
Located in London, GB
He was one of Godfrey Kneller's earliest pupils at the Academy of Painting from 1711, and in 1720, when Kneller’s academy began to decline, started his own Academy of painting in St....
Canvas, Oil
Portrait of a Lady
By John Vanderbank
Located in Bath, Somerset
In 1720 Vanderbank opened his own academy with Louis Chéron, holding life classes with both male and female models, but in 1724 fled to France to avoid debtors prison.
Sold
H 23 in W 17.76 in
Early 18th Century English Portrait of a Gentleman in Green Velvet
By (Circle of) William Hogarth
Located in Bath, Somerset
He was a skilled draughtsman and attended the St Martin Lane painting academy founded by John Vanderbank and Louis Cheron where life drawing classes were held.
Canvas, Oil
Sold
H 49.61 in W 39.77 in
English 18th century portrait of Elizabeth Bellenden with a spaniel
By John Vanderbank
Located in Bath, Somerset
In 1720 Vanderbank opened his own academy with Louis Chéron, holding life classes with both male and female models, but in 1724 fled to France to avoid debtors prison.
Oil
$22,232Sale Price|20% Off
H 59.85 in W 46.46 in
Venus Adonis Giaquinto Paint 18th Century Oil on canvas Old master Italian Art
Located in Riva del Garda, IT
Corrado Giaquinto (Naples, 1703 – Naples, 1765) Venus tries to dissuade Adonis from going hunting Oil on canvas 131 x 100 cm. – With an important period frame (imperfections, mi...
Oil
$22,239Sale Price|20% Off
H 57.49 in W 47.64 in
Portrait Noblewoman Kneller 17/18th Century Paint Oil on canvas Old master Art
Located in Riva del Garda, IT
Godfrey Kneller (Lübeck 1646 – London 1723) Portrait of an English noblewoman, presumably Mary Capel, Countess of Essex (1679–1726) Oil on canvas 128 x 104 cm. In frame 146 x...
Oil
$19,319
H 29.5 in W 24.5 in
Portrait of William Henry Kerr, Earl of Ancram, 4th Marquess of Lothian
Located in London, GB
James Fellowes Flourished 1719 - 1750 Portrait of William Henry Kerr, Earl of Ancram, 4th Marquess of Lothian Oil on canvas, signed & dated 1747 Image size: 29 1/2 x 24 1/2 inches (7...
Oil
$19,228Sale Price|20% Off
H 58.67 in W 49.22 in
Portrait Duchess Wissing Paint 17th Century Oil on canvas Old master English
Located in Riva del Garda, IT
Willem Wissing (Amsterdam, 1656 – Stamford, 1687) attributed Portrait of the Duchess of Marlborough as Minerva Oil on canvas 128 x 103 cm – in a gilt frame 149 x 125 cm. Prov...
Oil
$20,014Sale Price|20% Off
H 33 in W 27 in D 2 in
Portrait of Madam van Robais - French Old Master oil painting 18th century art
Located in Hagley, England
This fine French Old Master portrait oil painting on canvas dates to circa 1770 and is attributed to the circle of Elizabeth Vigee Le Brun. The sitter is Madam van Robais. The van R...
Oil
$17,564Sale Price|20% Off
H 20.67 in W 50.01 in D 1.97 in
17th Century by Felice Torelli Hagar and the Angel Oil on Canvas
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Felice Torelli (Verona, Italy, 1667 - Bologna, Italy, 1748) Title: Hagar and the Angel Medium: Oil on canvas Dimensions: without frame 41 x 116 cm - with frame 52.5 x 127 cm Origina...
Canvas, Cotton Canvas, Oil
$5,888Sale Price|20% Off
H 30.32 in W 24.81 in
Portrait Young Girl Mengs Paint 18th Century Oil on canvas Old master Woman Art
Located in Riva del Garda, IT
Anton Raphael Mengs (Aussig, 1728 - Rome, 1779) Workshop Portrait of a young girl with a book Oil on canvas 64 x 49 cm - Framed 77 x 63 cm , Unsigned The work, depicting a cha...
Oil
$9,244
H 22.84 in W 19.69 in D 3.15 in
Aeneas Fleeing the Burning of Troy, 17th Century Flemish Oil on Canvas Painting
Located in Firenze, IT
This oil painting on canvas, created by an artist from the 17th Century Flemish School, depicts one of the most significant scenes from Greco-Roman mythology: Aeneas saving his famil...
Canvas, Oil
$17,430Sale Price|20% Off
H 47.25 in W 64.57 in
Alexander The Great Fontebasso Paint 18th Century OIl on canvas Old Master Italy
Located in Riva del Garda, IT
Francesco Fontebasso (Venice 1709 – Venice 1769) Alexander the Great Shows Mercy to the Persians Oil on canvas 108 x 153 cm. - Framed 120 x 164 cm. Highly captivating due to ...
Oil
$2,380Sale Price|20% Off
H 29.93 in W 24.02 in
Portrait of a Lady, British School Joan Holdsworth, Mid-18th Century
Located in GB
An elegant early Georgian portrait traditionally identified as Joan Holdsworth, wife of the Reverend Henry Holdsworth (1696–1762), Vicar of Townstal, Dartmouth. The sitter is portray...
Canvas, Oil
Portrait of a Lady, Old Masters 18th Century Oil
By Thomas Hudson
Located in London, GB
Thomas Hudson 1701 – 1779 Portrait of a Lady Oil on canvas Image size: 30 x 25 inches Original carved giltwood frame Hudson had many assistants, and employed the specialist drapery ...
Canvas, Oil
$10,575Sale Price|20% Off
H 33.08 in W 39.77 in
Triumph Bacchus Mythological Spoede Paint 18th Century Oil on canvas Old master
Located in Riva del Garda, IT
Jean Jacques Spoede (Antwerp 1680 - Paris 1757) Triumph of Bacchus Oil on canvas 66 x 83 cm. - In frame 84 x 101 cm. In this fascinating painting, attributed to Jean Jacque...
Oil
$8,172Sale Price|20% Off
H 39.38 in W 51.97 in
Diana Boullogne Mythological Paint Oil on canvas old master 17/18th Century
Located in Riva del Garda, IT
Bon Boullogne (Paris, 1649 - Paris, 1717) workshop of Episodes from the myth of Diana oil painting on canvas Dimensions: 84 x 114 cm. with antique frame 100 x 132 cm. The beautiful...
Oil
$2,699Sale Price|20% Off
H 35 in W 30 in D 1 in
Fine 18th Century British Portrait of an Aristocratic Lady, Large oil painting
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Circle of Thomas Hudson (1701-1779) British. 18th Century Bust Portrait of a Lady, Oil on Canvas, Inscribed on a label verso, canvas: 30" x 25" (76.2 x 63.5cm). frame: 30 x 25 in...
Canvas, Oil
Portrait of Lady Mansfield of Ringwood
By Thomas Hudson
Located in London, GB
Portrait of Lady Mansfield of Ringwood Oil on Canvas, unsigned Image size: 25 x 30 inches (63 x 76 cm) Original carved & gilded frame Provenance Descended through the Family Estate ...
Canvas, Oil
$4,259
H 37.41 in W 32.68 in D 2.76 in
English Portrait of a Young Lady in White Dress c. 1730–1740, Fine Period Frame
Located in London, GB
Portrait of a Young Lady, probably British c.1730–1740 Attributed to Jeremiah Davison (c. 1695–1745) What makes this portrait immediately compelling is its directness: the sitter’s ...
Oil, Canvas
$9,494Sale Price|20% Off
H 44.1 in W 37.41 in
Madonna Child Maria Sassoferrato Paint Oil on canvas 17th Century Old master Art
Located in Riva del Garda, IT
Giovan Battista Salvi known as 'il Sassoferrato' (1609 - 1685) circle/ workshop Madonna with sleeping child Oil on canvas 84 x 66 cm - Framed (19th century) 112 x 95 cm The paintin...
Oil
Classic Empire Center Table, Oatmeal
Located in Westwood, NJ
A Classic Empire style grey cerused oak oatmeal stained center table with a carved ogee edge, raised on an octagonal pedestal base. Dimensions: 42" W x 42" D x 30" H. Clearance: 27"
Wood
$36,977
H 31.34 in W 26.38 in D 1.97 in
Male and female portrait, both in silk kimono, possibly textile dealers
By Christoffel Lubieniecki
Located in Amsterdam, NL
CHRISTOFFEL LUBIENIECKI (1659-1729) Pair of portraits of a gentleman and a lady, both in silk kimono, before a country house (circa 1680) Indistinctly signed “C.......” on a box u...
Canvas, Oil
$16,228Sale Price|20% Off
H 24 in W 25 in D 1 in
Ships Heading to Sea - Dutch 17th century Old Master marine art oil painting
Located in Hagley, England
This fantastic Dutch Old Master marine oil painting is by noted Dutch marine artist Abraham Storck. Painted circa 1670 the composition is a number of ships heading out to sea, their ...
Oil
$3,710Sale Price|30% Off
H 32.5 in W 85 in D 28 in
Antique 19th C. American Empire Flame Mahogany Claw Foot Parlor Sofa Couch 85"
Located in Dayton, OH
Fine American Empire parlor sofa / couch with classical form and masterful carvings. Made of flamed mahogany featuring carved back crest and flared rolled arms accented with carved f...
Mahogany, Burl
$21,000
H 20 in W 13.5 in
Gypsy Portrait 19th Century Antique Realistic portrait Oil Painting on Canvas
By Angelo Asti
Located in Jacksonville, FL
The painting is signed on the bottom left side. Angelo Asti, a renowned Italian artist, established himself as a true maestro of portraiture during the late 19th and early 20th centu...
Canvas, Oil
$57,200
H 17.33 in W 22.05 in
Macbeth and the Three Witches a Painting on Panel by Francesco Zuccarelli
By Francesco Zuccarelli
Located in PARIS, FR
This painting, created during Zuccarelli's stay in England, represents the decisive moment when Macbeth, together with Banquo, meets the three witches who announce that he will be Ki...
Oil, Wood Panel
$15,022Sale Price|20% Off
H 38.98 in W 45.28 in
Artist's Studio Thomas Paint 17/18th Century Oil on canvas Old master Flemisch
Located in Riva del Garda, IT
Gerard Thomas (Antwerp 1663-1720) Attributed to The Artist's Studio Oil on canvas (99 x 115 cm - in frame 70 x 86 cm) This fascinating painting, depicting the interior of an ar...
Oil
$14,985Sale Price|49% Off
H 31.5 in W 55 in D 32 in
Fine French 19th-20th Century Louis XVI Style Gildwood Carved Center Hall Table
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A fine French 19th-20th century Louis XVI style gildwood carved center hall table. The rectangular shaped intricately carved frame with an X-stretcher centre with a urn, all surmount...
Marble
$97,369Sale Price|20% Off
H 52 in W 42 in D 2 in
Portrait of a Spanish Noble Lady - 17th Century Old Master art oil painting
Located in Hagley, England
This stunning, large portrait oil painting is attributed to Spanish Old Master Claudio Coello who is considered the last great Spanish painter of the 17th century. It has formerly be...
Oil Crayon
$14,421Sale Price|20% Off
H 47.25 in W 36.23 in
Portrait Noblewoman Coello Paint 16/17th Century Oil on canvas Old master Spain
Located in Riva del Garda, IT
Alonso Sánchez Coello (Valencia, 1531 – Madrid, 1588) Workshop of Portrait of a Noblewoman Oil on canvas 100 x 70 cm. - In an antique frame, 120 x 92 cm. This portrait, ric...
Oil
$3,854
H 36 in W 30.5 in D 1 in
18thC English School Gentleman In A Red Velvet Coat, Oil On Canvas, Portrait
Located in Cheltenham, GB
US buyers pay no import tariffs on this painting. This early 18th-century English School portrait depicts Thomas Stanley wearing a striking red velvet suit, white cravat and powdere...
Canvas, Oil
Fabergé Style Bejewelled and Enamelled Gold Egg by Asprey
By Asprey International Limited, Garrard & Co. Ltd.
Located in London, GB
This exceptional, 18 carat gold Easter egg was crafted by the famous London-based royal jewellers, Asprey & Co. The piece was then retailed by Garrard & Co, who once worked i...
Gold
$10,200Sale Price|20% Off
H 40 in W 27 in D 2 in
Antique American Impressionist Signed Borzoi Dog Portrait Framed Oil Painting
Located in Buffalo, NY
Impressive early American impressionist dog portrait landscape painting by James Henry Hagaman (1866 - 1946). Oil on canvas. Framed. Signed. Image size, 35 by 22 inches.
Canvas, Oil
Tall Tiffany Studios Geometric 20” Vine Border Table Lamp
By Tiffany Studios
Located in Dallas, TX
Tiffany Studios New York "Vine Border" Shade and Library Base Table Lamp In perfect original condition which is extremely rare for a 115 yr old lamp. The glass is diachronic and lig...
Bronze
$17,553 / set
H 87.01 in W 41.34 in D 88.59 in
Louis XVI Style Bunk Beds/Matching Pair of Single Beds Made by La Maison London
By La Maison London
Located in London, Park Royal
Louis XVI style bunk beds, exclusive to La Maison London: Hand carved featuring a band of intricate laurel leaves along the side bars and hand finished to order (picture shows a pale...
Wood
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.
An elegant and sophisticated decorative touch in any living space, portrait paintings have remained popular throughout the years and are widely loved pieces of art for display in many homes today.
Portrait paintings are at least as old as ancient Egypt, where realistic, lifelike depictions of the recently deceased — commonly known as “mummy portraits” — were painted on wooden panels and affixed to mummies as part of the burial tradition.
For centuries, painters have used portraiture as a means of expressing a subject’s nobility, societal status and authority. Portraits were given as gifts in Renaissance Europe, and a portrait artist might have been commissioned to help mark a significant occasion such as a wedding or a promotion to high office. Prior to the advent of photography, which eventually replaced painted portraits as a quicker and more efficient way of capturing a person’s essence, the subject of a portrait had to sit for hours until the painter had finished. And during the 18th century in particular, if an artist commissioned for a portrait struggled with how to adequately memorialize and capture a subject’s likeness, sometimes a portrait painting wasn’t completed for up to a year.
Whether it’s part of the gallery-style approach to your living-room or dining-room walls or merely inspiration as you devise an eye-grabbing color scheme in your home, a portrait painting is a timeless decorative object for any interior. A landscape painting or sculpture might give you the kind of insight into a specific region of the world or a different culture that you can ascertain only through art. Similarly, when you take the time to learn about the subject of a portrait painting that you bring into your home — the sitter’s history, the relationship between the sitter and the artist should one exist, the story of how the portrait came to be — that work can become intensely personal in addition to its place as an object for an art-hungry corner of your apartment or house.
On 1stDibs, visit a vast collection of famous portrait paintings or works by emerging artists. Search by medium to find the right portrait paintings for your home in oil paint, synthetic resin paint and more. Find portrait paintings in a variety of styles, too, including contemporary, Impressionist and Pop art, or search by artist to find unique works created by painters such as Mark Beard, Steve Kaufman and Montse Valdés.