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Neoclassical Paintings

NEOCLASSICAL STYLE

Neoclassical design emerged in Europe in the 1750s, as the Age of Enlightenment reached full flower. Neoclassical furniture took its cues from the styles of ancient Rome and Athens: symmetrical, ordered, dignified forms with such details as tapered and fluted chair and table legs, backrest finials and scrolled arms.

Over a period of some 20 years, first in France and later in Britain, neoclassical design — also known as Louis XVI, or Louis Seize — would supersede the lithe and curvaceous Rococo or Louis XV style.

The first half of the 18th century had seen a rebirth of interest in classical antiquity. The "Grand Tour" of Europe, codified as a part of the proper education of a patrician gentleman, included an extended visit to Rome. Some ventured further, to sketch the ruins of ancient Greece. These drawings and others — particularly those derived from the surprising and rich archaeological discoveries in the 1730s and ’40s at the sites of the Roman cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum — caused great excitement among intellectuals and aesthetes alike.

Neoclassical furniture is meant to reflect both grace and power. The overall appearance of neoclassical chairs, tables and cabinetry is strong and rectilinear. These pieces are, in effect, classical architecture in miniature: chair and table legs are shaped like columns; cabinets are constructed with elements that mirror friezes and pediments.

Yet neoclassicism is enlivened by gilt and silver leaf, marquetry, and carved and applied ornamental motifs based on Greek and Roman sculpture: acanthus leaves, garlands, laurel wreaths, sheaves of arrow, medallions and chair splats are carved in the shapes of lyres and urns. Ormolu — or elaborate bronze gilding — was essential to French design in the 18th and 19th centuries as a cornerstone of the neoclassical and Empire styles.

As you can see from the furniture on these pages, there is a bit of whimsy in such stately pieces — a touch of lightness that will always keep neoclassicism fresh.

Find antique neoclassical furniture today on 1stDibs.

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Style: Neoclassical
Period: 1920s
Nude, Józef Krzyżański '1898-1987', 1929, Oil on Canvas
Located in Chorzów, PL
Nude, Józef Krzyzanski (1898-1987), 1929, oil on canvas. Dimensions: with a frame, height 113 cm x 86cm, without frame 77 cm x51 cm He studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Kr...
Category

1920s Polish Vintage Neoclassical Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Wood

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F. Prin, French artist. Oil on canvas. Reclining nude woman.
Located in Copenhagen, DK
F. Prin, French artist. Oil on canvas. Reclining nude woman. Inspired by Matisse. Colorful palette. Signed and dated 1976. In excellent condition. Canvas: 64.5 cm x 54.0 cm. Total d...
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Tall Pedro Pruna Nude Oil on Canvas Painting, 1920s
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Monumental Oil on Canvas by Dominique Dehais, 1987
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Located in Mjöhult, SE
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Oil on artist panel, signed in the lower left and inscribed with the title on reverse. Dimensions include frame at 7.75" x 9.75". In completely original condition and ready to hang and enjoy. Henry Bayley Snell (1858 - 1943) Henry Bayley Snell was born in Richmond, England, on September 29, 1858 and immigrated to the United States at the age of seventeen. He studied at the Art Students League in New York while working for an etching and engraving company where he began a lifelong friendship with fellow artists, William Langson Lathrop. While in New York Snell met another artist, named Florence Francis, also of English descent, whom he would eventually marry in 1888. It is believed that they first came to Bucks County in 1898 to visit the Lathrops at Phillips Mill. Snell was a beloved teacher at the Philadelphia School of Design for Women from 1899 to 1943, and often took his art classes abroad during the summer. He would frequently visit his native England, spending time at the art colony of St. Ives on the coast of Cornwall. Snell would summer in Gloucester, Massachusetts, and Boothbay Harbor...
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"Moonrise" by Henry Bayley Snell
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"St Ives Beach" by Henry Bayley Snell
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Oil on artist board, signed lower left. Label on reverse for Worcester Art Museum. Beautiful brush strokes in this petite beach scene by a well listed artist. Henry Bayley Snell (1858 - 1943) Henry Bayley Snell was born in Richmond, England, on September 29, 1858 and immigrated to the United States at the age of seventeen. He studied at the Art Students League in New York while working for an etching and engraving company where he began a lifelong friendship with fellow artists, William Langson Lathrop. While in New York Snell met another artist, named Florence Francis, also of English descent, whom he would eventually marry in 1888. It is believed that they first came to Bucks County in 1898 to visit the Lathrops at Phillips Mill. Snell was a beloved teacher at the Philadelphia School of Design for Women from 1899 to 1943, and often took his art classes abroad during the summer. He would frequently visit his native England, spending time at the art colony of St. Ives on the coast of Cornwall. Snell would summer in Gloucester, Massachusetts, and Boothbay Harbor, Maine, where he also held painting classes. Almost all the women who exhibited with “The Philadelphia Ten” had studied with Snell either in Philadelphia or New England. Snell also taught on Saturdays at the Grand Central Galleries in New York City. The Snells made many trips to New Hope before settling there permanently in 1925. They lived on the top floor of the Solebury National Bank Building where Henry also maintained a studio. This was located at the foot of the New Hope-Lambertville Bridge and many of Snell’s New Hope scenes were painted from this location. In 1943, Snell passed away in New Hope at the age of eighty-four. Henry Snell earned an international reputation as an artist for his paintings of Cornwall, Gloucester, Boothbay Harbor, and New Hope. Snell had served as director of Fine Arts for U.S. Commission in the Paris Exposition of 1900, was an elected a member of the National Academy of Design in 1906, and became president of the New York Watercolor Club. His work is in major museum collections, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, the James A. Michener Art Museum, the Worcester Art Museum, and the Allentown Art Museum. He exhibited at the Boston Art Club (15897-909), the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (1890-1938), the Art Institute of Chicago (1894-1926), the Philadelphia Art Club (1896 Gold Medal and 1916 prize), the National Academy of Design, the Nashville Exposition (1897 First Prize), the Paris Exposition (1900 prize), the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo (1901 Silver Medal), the St. Louis Exposition (1904 Silver Medal), the Worcester Art Museum (1905 prize), the New York Watercolor Club (1905 prize), the Corcoran Gallery Biennials, the Panama-Pacific Exposition in San Francisco (1915 Silver Medal, Gold Medal), and the Salmagundi Club (1918 prize). Sources: - “New Hope for American Art” by James Alterman - Henry Bayley Snell by Arrah Lee Gaul...
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Neoclassical paintings for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Neoclassical paintings for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage paintings created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include wall decorations, more furniture and collectibles, folk art and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with paint, fabric and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Neoclassical paintings made in a specific country, there are Europe, North America, and United States pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original paintings, popular names associated with this style include Christopher Willett, Mitch Billis, George C Thomas, and Jean-Victor Bertin. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for paintings differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $45 and tops out at $175,000 while the average work can sell for $3,200.

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