Old Masters Portrait Drawings and Watercolors
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
Early 19th Century, Portrait of a young man wearing glasses, gouache
Located in Paris, FR
Early 19th Century,
Portrait of a young man wearing glasses,
gouache on paper
13 x 10.5 cm oval view
In a vintage frame : 41.5 x 39 cm, accidents and lacks in the gilding but but...
Category
1820s Old Masters Portrait Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Gouache
French School 18th Century, Portrait of a gentleman, pastel
Located in Paris, FR
French School of the 18th Century
Portrait of a gentleman
Pastel on paper
25 x 18 cm
Framed : 49 x 32 cm
The mounting of this work is marked "Attribué à Saint Aubin", which means t...
Category
1770s Old Masters Portrait Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Pastel
Girolamo Tubino After Raffaello, Sanzio Da Urbino La Velata
Located in Cheltenham, GB
This fine mid-19th-century watercolour by Italian artist Girolamo Tubino (1805-1879) is after ‘La Velata’ (Woman with a Veil) by Raphael (1483-1520),...
Category
1840s Old Masters Portrait Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Paper, Watercolor
St. John the Baptist in the wilderness , Ecce Agnus Dei (Behold the Lamb of God)
By Giovanni Francesco Barbieri (Il Guercino)
Located in Middletown, NY
Pen and sepia ink and wash on vellum, 8 7/8 x 10 1/2 inches (225 x 267 mm). In very good condition with some modern notations in pencil on the verso, minor cockling, and a 1-inch hor...
Category
Mid-17th Century Old Masters Portrait Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Ink, Watercolor, Vellum, Pencil
Academy Drawing of a Man
Located in Paris, Île-de-France
Constance-Marie Charpentier (1767–1849)
Academy Drawing of a Man
Black and white chalk on paper
56 x 43 cm
Provenance:
Private collection
Constance-Marie Charpentier, a student of ...
Category
19th Century Old Masters Portrait Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Ink, Chalk
Mythological combat scene with Roman soldiers on horseback.
By Virgil Solis
Located in Middletown, NY
Pen and brownish black ink on grayish-cream laid paper, 6 1/2 x 8 inches (165 x 175 mm), irregular hexagonal sheet with margins. Some archival repairs along the top sheet edge, scatt...
Category
16th Century Old Masters Portrait Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Ink, Laid Paper, Pen
French School 18th Century, Portrait of a gentleman, pastel
Located in Paris, FR
French School of the 18th Century
Portrait of a gentleman
Pastel on paper
25 x 18 cm
Framed : 49 x 32 cm
The mounting of this work is marked "Attribué à Saint Aubin", which means t...
Category
1770s Old Masters Portrait Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Pastel
Dancing Couple
Located in Paris, Île-de-France
Attributed to Charles-Nicolas Cochin the Younger (Paris, 1715 – 1790)
Dancing Couple
Circa 1765–1770
Red chalk on cream paper; verso in black and red chalk
34 × 21 cm
Provenance:
...
Category
Late 18th Century Old Masters Portrait Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Chalk
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 Portrait Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Ink
Study of a Sleeping Girl in a Cap
By Jean-Baptiste Greuze
Located in Middletown, NY
Graphite on greenish gray wove paper. 15 1/4 x 11 5/8 inches (390 x 295 mm). Initialed "G. B." in pencil on the lower right recto. In generally good condition with some minor scattered surface soiling. Condition is consistent with age.
____
This drawing is closely related to two known mid 18th century oils...
Category
18th Century Old Masters Portrait Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Handmade Paper, Graphite
Antique French Miniature Portrait of Lady Biographical details with painting
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Miniature Portrait
French School, late 18th/ early 19th century
framed: 5.5 x 5.5 inches
board: 2 x 2 inches
provenance: private collection, France
condition: very good and sound c...
Category
Late 18th Century Old Masters Portrait Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Watercolor
Academy Study of a Seated Male Figure Seen from the Back
By Charles Joseph Natoire
Located in Paris, Île-de-France
Attributed to Charles-Joseph NATOIRE (Nîmes 1700 – 1777 Gandolfo)
Academy Study of a Seated Male Figure Seen from the Back
(Youthful study executed around the 1720s–1730s, likely du...
Category
1720s Old Masters Portrait Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Chalk
Early 19th Century, Portrait of a young man wearing glasses, gouache
Located in Paris, FR
Early 19th Century,
Portrait of a young man wearing glasses,
gouache on paper
13 x 10.5 cm oval view
In a vintage frame : 41.5 x 39 cm, accidents and lacks in the gilding but but...
Category
1820s Old Masters Portrait Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Gouache
Study for Assumption of the Virgin
Located in Middletown, NY
Graphite on hand made, fibrous wove paper, finished with gray wash. Unevenly trimmed sheet edges, non-archival tape remnants at all four corners, recto, well outside of image area. Horseshoe-shaped area of light discoloration that extends significantly into the figure's face, beneath the lips, and up over the rear of the head, dog-eared right lower corner with associated light discoloration at crease. DeMin and Belluno inscribed in graphite, verso.
A detailed study showing 'primo pensiero' for Giovanni DeMin's large scale fresco, Assumption of the Virgin...
Category
Mid-19th Century Old Masters Portrait Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Handmade Paper, Graphite
Screaming Face
Located in Paris, Île-de-France
DENYS CALVAERT (Antwerp c. 1540 – 1619 Bologna), ATTRIBUTED TO
Screaming Face
Red chalk on paper
17.5 x 14.5 cm
After 1608
Provenance:
Unidentified collection (Lugt L.2339 / 3578 [p...
Category
Early 17th Century Old Masters Portrait Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Chalk
Mercurio / Mercury
Located in Middletown, NY
A lovely, early drawing of the Roman god Mercury.
Pen and brown ink on cream laid paper, with a partial crown and shield watermark, 7 1/4 x 4 7/8 inches (184x 123 mm) (matrix). In go...
Category
Mid-18th Century Old Masters Portrait Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Ink, Handmade Paper, Laid Paper
Early 19th century French School, Portrait of a man in profile, oval drawing
Located in Paris, FR
Early 19th century French School,
Portrait of a young man in profile
charcoal on cut paper applied to pink tinted paper
Oval 58 x 47 cm (overall size) the portrait itself 41.5 x 28...
Category
Early 1800s Old Masters Portrait Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Charcoal
Ancient Persian Miniature - Original China Ink and Watercolour - 19th Century
Located in Roma, IT
Ancient Persian Miniature is an original China Ink and Watercolour realized by an artist of 19th Century.
Good condition for a little brown ...
Category
19th Century Old Masters Portrait Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Ink, Watercolor
Jan Cornelis Sylvius, Preacher by Rembrandt Van Rijn
Located in New Orleans, LA
Rembrandt van Rijn
1606–1669 Dutch
Jan Cornelis Sylvius, Preacher
New Hollstein Dutch and Flemish (Rembrandt) 235, state 2/2
Bartsch 280
Printed by Rembrandt
Signed and dated "Rem...
Category
17th Century Old Masters Portrait Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Paper, Etching
Opera dei Pupi
Located in Roma, IT
Watercolour on ivory colored paper stuck onwhite cardboard sheet, 1820 c.a. Representing people attending the typical Sicilian"Operadei Pupi". Excellent conditionsexcept a little sta...
Category
1820s Old Masters Portrait Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Watercolor
Study for a standing man
Located in Paris, Île-de-France
Sir Anthony van Dyck
(Antwerp 1599 - 1641 London)
STUDY FOR A PORTRAIT OF A STANDING MAN
Black and white chalk on blue-green paper
25,4 by 13,5 cm
Provenance
Prof. Julius S. Held (...
Category
17th Century Old Masters Portrait Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Chalk
Portraits of the Hon. Mary Shuttleworth and Anna Maria, 9th Baroness Forrester
Located in London, GB
THE HON. MARY SHUTTLEWORTH, NÉE COCKBURN (D. 1777)
and her sister
ANNA MARIA, 9TH BARONESS FORRESTER (D. 1808)
Pastel and gouache on paper laid on canvas, on their original backb...
Category
18th Century Old Masters Portrait Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Pastel, Gouache
Grimace - China Ink and Watercolor Drawing - 18th Century
Located in Roma, IT
Grimace is a beautiful brown and black China ink drawing and watercolor on wire rod paper, made by an anonymous artist of the late 18th century.
A precious old master's original dra...
Category
18th Century Old Masters Portrait Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Ink, Watercolor
Theatrical Costume - Watercolor by Alfredo Edel - 1895
By Alfredo Edel
Located in Roma, IT
Theatrical Costume is an original pencil, pastel and watercolor realized by Alfredo Edel in 1895.
Good condition, the artwork is from Amleto and represents Ofelia, with a note writes from the artist on the lower margin.
Hand signed with pencil by the artist.
Alfredo Leonardo Edel (1856–1912), sometimes credited as Alfredo Edel Colorno, was an Italian costume designer popular during the late 19th and early 20th century. He worked at the La Scala opera...
Category
1890s Old Masters Portrait Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Watercolor, Pastel, Pencil
Brigante - Watercolor 1820 ca.
Located in Roma, IT
Watercolour on ivory colored paper, 1820 c.a.. Hand titled and signed. Representing brigand. Very good conditions.
Very beautiful and good quality watercolour both for the drawing a...
Category
1820s Old Masters Portrait Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Watercolor
Theatrical Costume - Pencil Drawing by Alfredo Edel - 1895
By Alfredo Edel
Located in Roma, IT
Theatrical Costume is an original pencil, pastel and watercolor drawing realized by Alfredo Edel in 1895.
Good condition, the artwork is with watercolor and biacca.
Hand signed with pencil by the artis.
Alfredo Leonardo Edel (1856–1912), sometimes credited as Alfredo Edel Colorno, was an Italian costume designer popular during the late 19th and early 20th century. He worked at the La Scala opera...
Category
1890s Old Masters Portrait Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Pencil, Pastel, Watercolor
English School early 19th century, Portrait of two children, drawing
Located in Paris, FR
English School early 19th century,
Portrait of two children,
Pencil and light heightenings of white and red gouache
29.5 x 23 cm
In quite good condition : the pape is yellowed by t...
Category
Early 1800s Old Masters Portrait Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Pencil
Studies of a kneeling female figure, an arm, a hand, and a head in profile
Located in Paris, Île-de-France
Studio of Carlo Maratti (or Maratta)
Camerano 1625 – Rome 1713
Studies of a kneeling female figure, an arm, a hand, and a head in profile
Red chalk on paper
43.4 x 26.6 cm
Provena...
Category
Late 17th Century Old Masters Portrait Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Chalk
Jean-Henri Cless (1774-1812) Portrait of a young woman, signed drawing
Located in Paris, FR
Jean-Henri Cless (1774-1812)
Portrait of a young woman in a landscape
signed "Cless fec" for fecit on the lower left
Brown ink and brown ink wash on paper
Size of the sheet : 31.5 x 22 cm
Size of the motive : 24.5 x 17 cm
very simply framed under glass without actual frame 32 x 22.5 cm
This pre...
Category
Early 1800s Old Masters Portrait Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Ink, Pencil
Girolamo Tubino After Raffaello, Sanzio Da Urbino La Velata
Located in Cheltenham, GB
This fine mid-19th-century watercolour by Italian artist Girolamo Tubino (1805-1879) is after ‘La Velata’ (Woman with a Veil) by Raphael (1483-1520),...
Category
1840s Old Masters Portrait Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Paper, Watercolor
Georg Philipp I RUGENDAS (1666-1742) - Frederick I of Prussia
By Georg Philipp Rugendas the Elder
Located in Paris, Île-de-France
Georg Philipp I RUGENDAS (1666-1742)
Frederick I of Prussia
Red chalk, ink and brown wash on paper
45x42 cm
This drawing has been long considered representative of Charles VI. In r...
Category
Early 1700s Old Masters Portrait Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Ink, Watercolor
18th century portrait drawing of the Rev. William Atkinson
Located in London, GB
Collections:
Henry Scipio Reitlinger (1882-1950);
Private collection, UK to 2019
Framed dimensions: 14.50 x 15.38 inches
This drawing is one of only two known portrait drawings by Romney (as opposed to preliminary studies for portraits) and is dated by Alex Kidson as being executed no later than 1769. It is likely that the present drawing was originally part of a sketchbook, now largely dismembered (Abbot Hall Art Gallery, Kendal), which Kidson notes, contained some of Romney’s most beautiful early drawings. This drawing, and a second sheet formerly with Andrew Wyld, have been identifying as depicting the Rev. William Atkinson...
Category
18th Century Old Masters Portrait Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Pencil
18th century pastel portrait of Lady Augusta Corbett and her son, Stuart
Located in London, GB
Collections:
Commissioned by Andrew Corbett, husband of the sitter;
The Venerable Stuart Corbett;
Sir Stuart Corbett;
By descent to 2002;
Sotheby’s, London 21 March 2002, lot.104;
Lowell Libson...
Category
18th Century Old Masters Portrait Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Pastel, Gouache
18th century portrait of the Royal Academy model George White
By John Russell
Located in London, GB
Collections:
Russell sale, Christie’s, 14 February, 1807: ‘John Russell, Esq., R.A. deceased, crayon painter to His Majesty, the Prince of Wales, and Duke of York; and brought from his late Dwelling in Newman Street’, lot 92, ‘St Peter’, bt. Thompson (£1.13s);
Anonymous sale; Sotheby's, London, 25th September 1980, lot 113;
Private collection, UK, 2016.
Literature:
Martin Postle, 'Patriarchs, prophets and paviours: Reynolds's images of old age', The Burlington Magazine, vol. cxxx, no. 1027, October 1988, pp. 739-40, fig. 9;
Martin Postle, Sir Joshua Reynolds: The Subject Pictures, Cambridge, 1995, p.136, repr.;
Neil Jeffares, Dictionary of pastellists before 1800, online edition, J.64.2928.
Signed and dated: J Russell/ fecit 1772 (lower right)
Framed dimensions: 25 x 31 inches
John Russell was admitted to the Royal Academy in March 1770, at the same time as Daniel Gardner. The nascent Academy Schools were still establishing their teaching structures, but central to the syllabus were the twin components of drawing after the antique and from life models. By 1772 Russell had already been awarded a silver medal and progressed to the life academy, where he produced this remarkable pastel study of George White. White was the most famous model employed by the Royal Academy and prominent artists in the second half of the eighteenth century. A paviour – or street mender –by profession White had been discovered by Joshua Reynolds, who in turn introduced him to the Academy. Russell’s striking head study demonstrates his abilities as a portraitist and pastellist, at the same time showing his interest in the Academy’s preoccupation with promoting history painting.
George White was one of the most celebrated models in eighteenth-century London. According to the painter Joseph Moser:
'Old George…owed the ease in which he passed his latter days, in a great measure to Sir Joshua Reynolds, who found him exerting himself in the laborious employment of thumping down stones in the street; and observing not only the grand and majestic traits of his countenance, but the dignity of his muscular figure, took him out of a situation to which his strength was by no means equal, clothed, fed, and had him, first as a model in his own painting room, then introduced him as a subject for the students of the Royal Academy.'
As Martin Postle has pointed out, whilst characterful studies of old men posed as biblical figures, prophets or saints by Continental old masters were readily available on the art market – Reynolds himself had copied a head of Joab by Federico Bencovich in the collection of his friend and patron, Lord Palmerston - finding a model in Britain from whom to execute a painting was more difficult.
White therefore offered a rare opportunity for artists to combine portraiture and history painting, by painting a model in the guise of an historical or literary character. In 1771 Reynolds showed at the Royal Academy a picture of White entitled Resignation. It was engraved in 1772 and accompanied by a stanza from Oliver Goldsmith’s Deserted Village, implying a literary context to what is essentially a portrait. In his annotated Royal Academy catalogue, Horace Walpole noted: ‘This was an old beggar, who had so fine a head that Sir Joshua chose him for the father in his picture from Dante, and painted him several times, as did others in imitation of Reynolds. There were even cameos and busts of him.’ White sat to, amongst others Johan Zoffany, John Sanders, Nathaniel Hone and the sculptor John Bacon...
Category
18th Century Old Masters Portrait Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Pastel
Regency portrait drawing of Arabella Graham-Clarke
By John Downman
Located in London, GB
Collections:
The sitter, and by descent;
Christie's, 19th March 1928, lot 6;
Private collection to 2019
Literature:
G.C. Williamson, John Downman, A.R.A., his Life and Works, Lon...
Category
Early 19th Century Old Masters Portrait Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Pencil, Watercolor
Study of a Franciscan Saint, probably San Diego de Alcalá
Located in New York, NY
Provenance: Ivan E. Phillips, Montreal and New York, until 2023.
The brothers Bartolomé Carducho and Vicente Carducho, both born and trained in Florence, settled in Spain where they made their careers. Vicente worked on numerous commissions for both the church and the Spanish court...
Category
17th Century Old Masters Portrait Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Paper, Chalk, Ink, Pen
Self Portrait
Located in London, GB
Pen and ink, ink wash and pencil on paper, signed and dated (lower right), 38cm x 29cm (65cm x 55cm framed).
This penetrating and wonderfully executed self-portrait, is all the mor...
Category
1910s Old Masters Portrait Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Paper, Carbon Pencil, Ink
The Assumption of Mary Magdalene, Italian School, 16th Century
Located in Middletown, NY
Brownish ink and grayish ink wash with white heightening on handmade cream laid paper, 10 5/8 x 8 1/4 inches (267 x 208 mm)(matrix). Scattered minor losses to top sheet edge (outside...
Category
16th Century Old Masters Portrait Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Ink, Handmade Paper, Laid Paper
Regency portrait drawing of Lady Nugent
By John Downman
Located in London, GB
Collections:
With Ellis Smith, London;
Private collection, to 2015.
Literature:
G.C. Williamson, John Downman A.R.A., his Life and Works,
p. lviii no...
Category
19th Century Old Masters Portrait Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Pencil, Watercolor
Young Man with a Sword, a Fist on his Hip, a drawing by Cornelis Saftleven
Located in PARIS, FR
Black chalk and white highlights on paper (originally washed in blue)
Monogrammed and dated 1630 on the right
This drawing, executed in black chalk and enhanced with white brushwor...
Category
1630s Old Masters Portrait Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Paper, Chalk
Portrait drawing of Harriot Mellon, Mrs Thomas Coutts
By Henry Fuseli
Located in London, GB
Inscribed by the artist in pen and brown ink, upper margin: 'σοφὴν δὲ μισῶ: μὴ γὰρ ἔν γ' ἐμοῖς δόμοις / εἴη φρονοῦσα πλείον' ἢ γυναῖκα χρή [Euripides, Hippolytus, 11, 640-41: “But a ...
Category
19th Century Old Masters Portrait Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Pencil
Moses Breaking the Tablet of the Law (after Parmigianino. 1503-1540)
By Daniel Ramée
Located in Storrs, CT
Moses Breaking the Tablet of the Law. (after Parmigianino. 1503-1540.) Pencil drawing mounted onto paper. 12 1/4 x 3 3/4 inches. Collector's seal verso: Gustav Grunwald, (Lugt 1155b)...
Category
19th Century Old Masters Portrait Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Pencil
Study of Feet and a Figure Sketch
Located in Paris, Île-de-France
Attributed to Jacob JORDAENS (Antwerp 1593–1678)
Study of Feet and a Figure Sketch
Red and black chalk on laid paper
25.9 × 18.4 cm (10¼ × 7¼ in.)
Minor losses, folds, and slight s...
Category
17th Century Old Masters Portrait Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Chalk
Costume of Napoli - Ink and Watercolor by Michela De Vito - 1830s
Located in Roma, IT
Costume of Napoli is an original Ink and Watercolour drawing on ivory-colored stuck on paper, 1830 c.a.
Signed. Image Dimensions: 24.5 x 15 cm.
The original title is written at the...
Category
1830s Old Masters Portrait Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Watercolor, Ink
CHILD - Alfonso Grassi Pastel on paper Portrait italian Painting
Located in Napoli, IT
CHILD - Pastel on paper cm.51x41 signed lower right by Alfonso Grassi, Italy.
Wooden frame with passeportout cm.94x73
Category
Late 20th Century Old Masters Portrait Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Paper, Pastel
Carretto Siciliano (Sicilian Carriage) - Watercolor by M. De Vito - 1820 ca.
Located in Roma, IT
Watercolour on ivory colored and watermarked paper"J. Whatm Turkey M.", 1820 c.a.
Beautiful watercolour representing a typical Italian scene of ordinary life in XIX century: people...
Category
1820s Old Masters Portrait Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Watercolor
French School 18th Century, L'étonnement, form of expression, drawing
Located in Paris, FR
French School 18th Century,
L'étonnement, Astonishment as a form of expression,
Titled on the lower right "L'étonnement N°9"
Black chalk on paper
43 x 29 cm
In good condition, a sta...
Category
1750s Old Masters Portrait Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Chalk
CHILD - Alfonso Grassi Watercolor on paper Portrait italian Painting
Located in Napoli, IT
CHILD -Watercolorl on paper cm.51x41 signed lower left by Alfonso Grassi, Italy.
Wooden frame with passeportout cm.94x73
Category
Late 20th Century Old Masters Portrait Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Paper, Watercolor
Costume di Capracolla - Watercolor by M. De Vito - 1820 ca.
Located in Roma, IT
Beautiful watercolor on ivory-colored paper called Costume di Capracolla, realized by the Italian artist Michela De Vito in 1820 ca.
Hand-titled "Costume di Capracolla" with a hand-...
Category
1820s Old Masters Portrait Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Watercolor
Costume di Craco - Watercolor by M. De Vito - 1820 ca.
Located in Roma, IT
Watercolor on ivory colored paper, 1820 c.a.
Hand-titled "Costume di Craco" with a caption "Provincia di Basilicata nel Regno di Napoli" in black ink on lower margin at the center. ...
Category
1820s Old Masters Portrait Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Watercolor
Studies of seated figures
Located in Paris, Île-de-France
GIUSEPPE BOSSI
(1777-1815)
Studies of seated figures
Pen and ink on paper
18 x 14 cm
Provenance:
Private collection, France
Giuseppe Bossi was an Italian Neoclassical painter, dra...
Category
Early 19th Century Old Masters Portrait Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Ink
Marinajo del Molo- Watercolor by M. De Vito - 1820 ca.
Located in Roma, IT
Watercolour on paper, 1820 c.a.
Hand-titled "Marinajo del Molo" (Sailor of the pier), hand-signed on lower-left margin. Very good conditions. Including an ivory colored cardboard p...
Category
1820s Old Masters Portrait Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Watercolor
Costume di Procida - Watercolor by M. De Vito - 1820 ca.
Located in Roma, IT
Watercolour on paper stuck on ivory colored cardboard, 1820 c.a.
Hand-titled "Costume di Procida" with a caption "Provincia di Napoli" in black ink on lower margin. Partially hand-signed on lower-right margin. Representing a woman with baby...
Category
1820s Old Masters Portrait Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Watercolor
Costume di Villa Pianezza - Watercolor by M. De Vito - 1820 ca.
Located in Roma, IT
Watercolour on ivory colored paper, 1820 c.a.
Hand-titled "Costume di Villa pianezza" with a caption "Provincia dell'Aquila nel Regno di Napoli" in black ink on lower margin at the ...
Category
1820s Old Masters Portrait Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Watercolor
Member of the Military Band - Drawing - 19th Century
Located in Roma, IT
Member of the military band is a beautiful pencil drawing on cream-colored paper, realized during the XIX century by an Italian Master.
Hand-signed on the right side of the artwork....
Category
19th Century Old Masters Portrait Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Pencil
Costume di Ciociara - Watercolor by M. De Vito - 1820 ca.
Located in Roma, IT
Watercolour on ivory colored paper, 1820 c.a. Hand-signed on lower-right. Hand-titled "Costume di Ciociara", with autograph caption black ink "Provincia di Basilicata nel Regno di Na...
Category
1820s Old Masters Portrait Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Watercolor
Italian School, late 16th century - Head of a Man and Écorché Studies of Arms
Located in Paris, Île-de-France
Italian School, late 16th century
Head of a Man and Écorché Studies of Arms
Red chalk on laid paper,
21 x 11 cm
Provenance:
Collection of Michael Jaffé CBE (1923–1997), English art historian and Director of the Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge
Private collection, France
This drawing, attributed to the Italian School of the late 16th century, demonstrates the influence of Michelangelo’s approach to anatomy and expression. The sheet combines two distinct studies: an anatomical rendering of arms in the écorché technique, focusing on the musculature and skeletal details, and a head of a man, drawn with careful attention to light and shadow. The use of red chalk lends the work warmth and immediacy, qualities often associated with Renaissance studies of the human form.
The écorché studies reflect the Renaissance fascination with anatomy as both an artistic and scientific pursuit. The detailed depiction of the musculature suggests the artist’s interest in understanding the mechanics of the body, a practice heavily influenced by Michelangelo’s drawings...
Category
16th Century Old Masters Portrait Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Chalk
French School 18th Century, Le Rire, Laughter as a form of expression, drawing
Located in Paris, FR
French School 18th Century,
Le Rire, Laughter as a form of expression,
Titled on the lower right "Le rire N°12"
Black chalk on paper
43 x 29 cm
In quite good condition, stains vsibl...
Category
1750s Old Masters Portrait Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Chalk
French School 18th Century, Le Mépris et la Haine, form of expression, drawing
Located in Paris, FR
French School 18th Century,
Le Mépris et la Haine, Contempt and Hate as a form of expression,
Titled on the lower right "Le mépris et la haine N°7"
Black c...
Category
1750s Old Masters Portrait Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Chalk
Sketch of a Man in Profile
Located in London, GB
Sketch of a Man in Profile
17th Century French School
Ink on paper
Image Size: 10 1/2 x 7 inches (26.5 x 17.5 cm)
Framed
Provenance
The estate of Joseph McCrindle
Christies Old Masters and British Pictures and Old Master Drawings Sale 12th December 2008
This highly worked picture shows us a man depicted in profile is seen interacting with a scene that extends beyond the boundaries of the paper's composition, the pen strokes intricately portraying the man's face, rendering a detailed, textured complexion. He points his left hand out to something in the distance, with a look of almost alarm.
The artist Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione (1609-64) did a series of oriental head studies.
The exotic headgear that he wears and this type of oriental head studies, had its principal source was of course Rembrandt, who etched many similar heads during the 1630s.
In the seventeenth-century Western European imagination, the turbaned figure represented the epitome of alterity: the Ottoman Turk. Ottoman costume...
Category
17th Century Old Masters Portrait Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Paper, Ink
Portrait of a Merchant
By Giovanni Francesco Barbieri (Il Guercino)
Located in London, GB
Giovanni Francesco Barbieri Guercino
Italian 1591-1666
Portrait of a Merchant
Sanguine on laid paper
Image size: 12 ¾ x 16 inches (32 x 40....
Category
17th Century Old Masters Portrait Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Graphite
Old Masters portrait drawings and watercolors for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a wide variety of authentic Old Masters portrait drawings and watercolors available for sale on 1stDibs. Works in this style were very popular during the 20th Century, but contemporary artists have continued to produce works inspired by this movement. Many Pop art paintings were created by popular artists on 1stDibs, including Michela De Vito, Augustin de Saint-Aubin, John Downman, and Alfredo Edel. Frequently made by artists working with Paint, and Watercolor and other materials, all of these pieces for sale are unique and have attracted attention over the years. Not every interior allows for large Old Masters portrait drawings and watercolors, so small editions measuring 2 inches across are also available. Prices for portrait drawings and watercolors made by famous or emerging artists can differ depending on medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $178 and tops out at $53,147, while the average work sells for $1,000.