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.
17th Century Dutch engraving by Pieter Nolpe of a man on skates carrying a baske
By Pieter Nolpe
Located in Petworth, West Sussex
Pieter Nolpe (Dutch, 1613-1653) after Pieter Jansz Quast Man on skates carrying a basket, from a set of twenty four Peasants and Beggars engraving 7.3/4 x 6.1/4 in. (19.7 x 16 cm.) P...
Engraving
Came, the Seat of the Hon. Lionel Damer /// Dorsetshire John Hutchins English
Located in Saint Augustine, FL
Artist: John Hutchins (English, 1698-1773) Title: "Came, the Seat of the Hon. Lionel Damer" (Plate 48) Portfolio: The History and Antiquities of the County of Dorset Year: 1796-1815 ...
Engraving
Vespera; Der Abend (Evening; The Evening) /// Johann Daniel Preissler Old Master
Located in Saint Augustine, FL
Artist: (after) Johann Daniel Preissler (German, 1666-1737) Title: "Vespera; Der Abend (Evening; The Evening)" Portfolio: Die Vier Tageszeiten (The Four Times of Day) Year: 1723 Medium: Original Etching and Engraving on laid paper Limited edition: Unknown Printer: likely Johann Balthasar Probst, Augsburg, Germany Publisher: Jeremias Wolff (Erben), Augsburg, Germany Sheet size: 22.5" x 16.63" Image size: 17.38" x 13.63" Reference: Le Blanc No. 255, 38; Nagler No. 23 Condition: Soft handling creases and folds to sheet. Some scattered foxmarks in left margin. Two small tears skillfully repaired from verso in margins. Has been professionally stored away for decades. It is otherwise a strong impression in good condition with full margins Extremely rare Notes: Provenance: private collection - Aspen, CO. Engraved by German artist Johann Balthasar Probst (1673-1750) after a drawing by German artist Johann Daniel Preissler (1666-1737). Comes from Preissler's 1723 "Die Vier Tageszeiten (The Four Times of Day)" portfolio of four etchings and engravings. Printed from one copper plate in one color: black. Descriptions of the portrayed image are printed in Latin and German. Biography: Johann Daniel Preissler, or Preisler (1666–1737) was a German painter and director of Nuremberg's Academy of Fine Arts. He was a notable member of a German artistic family, originating in Bohemia. His children included Johann Justin Preissler (1698–1771), Georg Martin Preisler (1700–1754), Barbara Helena Preisler (1707–1758; married to Oeding), Johan Martin Preisler (1715–1794), and Valentin Daniel Preisler (1717–1765), all in their time renowned artists. Most notable for his portraits, nudes and history paintings, Johann Daniel Preissler also produced drawings and frescoes. He was particularly known beyond his native Nuremberg for his "Die durch Theorie erfundene Practic", a sequence of works on art theory – the individual works were translated into several other languages and served as textbooks for students such as the Swiss Salomon Gessner...
Laid Paper, Engraving, Etching
Aurora sive Tempus Matutinum; Der Wohl und Übel angewandte Morgen /// Old Master
Located in Saint Augustine, FL
Artist: (after) Johann Daniel Preissler (German, 1666-1737) Title: "Aurora sive Tempus Matutinum; Der Wohl und Übel angewandte Morgen (Dawn or Morning Time; The Morning Used for Better or For Worse)" Portfolio: Die Vier Tageszeiten (The Four Times of Day) Year: 1723 Medium: Original Etching and Engraving on laid paper Limited edition: Unknown Printer: likely Johann Balthasar Probst, Augsburg, Germany Publisher: Jeremias Wolff (Erben), Augsburg, Germany Sheet size: 22.57" x 16.38" Image size: 17.75" x 14" Reference: Le Blanc No. 255, 38; Nagler No. 23 Condition: Soft handling creases, folds, and scattered faint areas of discoloration to sheet. Three tears skillfully repaired from verso. Has been professionally stored away for decades. It is otherwise a strong impression in good condition with full margins Extremely rare Notes: Provenance: private collection - Aspen, CO. Engraved by German artist Johann Balthasar Probst (1673-1750) after a drawing by German artist Johann Daniel Preissler (1666-1737). Comes from Preissler's 1723 "Die Vier Tageszeiten (The Four Times of Day)" portfolio of four etchings and engravings. Printed from one copper plate in one color: black. Descriptions of the portrayed image are printed in Latin and German. Biography: Johann Daniel Preissler, or Preisler (1666–1737) was a German painter and director of Nuremberg's Academy of Fine Arts. He was a notable member of a German artistic family, originating in Bohemia. His children included Johann Justin Preissler (1698–1771), Georg Martin Preisler (1700–1754), Barbara Helena Preisler (1707–1758; married to Oeding), Johan Martin Preisler (1715–1794), and Valentin Daniel Preisler (1717–1765), all in their time renowned artists. Most notable for his portraits, nudes and history paintings, Johann Daniel Preissler also produced drawings and frescoes. He was particularly known beyond his native Nuremberg for his "Die durch Theorie erfundene Practic", a sequence of works on art theory – the individual works were translated into several other languages and served as textbooks for students such as the Swiss Salomon Gessner...
Laid Paper, Engraving, Etching
$480Sale Price|20% Off
"Conisborough Castle" and "Morlashe Castle" from "Buck's Antiquities" /// UK Art
Located in Saint Augustine, FL
Artist: Samuel and Nathaniel Buck (English, 1696-1779) and (?-1759/1774) Title: "Conisborough Castle" (Plate 323) and "Morlashe Castle" (Plat...
Laid Paper, Engraving, Intaglio
$480Sale Price|20% Off
"Louth Park Abbey" and "Easby Abbey" from "Buck's Antiquities" /// Architecture
Located in Saint Augustine, FL
Artist: Samuel and Nathaniel Buck (English, 1696-1779) and (?-1759/1774) Title: "Louth Park Abbey" (Plate 172) and "Easby Abbey" (Plate 324) Portfolio: Buck's Antiquities or Venerabl...
Laid Paper, Engraving, Intaglio
Pierre Nivelle, Bishop of Lucon
Located in New York, NY
Charles Meryon (1821-1868), Pierre Nivelle, Bishop of Lucon (1584-1660), 1861, etching on tin, after an engraving by Michel Lasne (1590-1667). Reference: Schneiderman 76, (fifth stat...
Etching
The Young Hostess
Located in New York, NY
Cornelis Bega (active 1631/32-64), The Young Hostess, c. 1660-64, etching. Reference: Hollstein, Bartsch 33, third state (of 5). With the address of J. Covens and C Mortier bottom left - before the address was removed (in the fourth state) and the artist’s signature was added (in the fifth state). In excellent condition, printed in black/grey ink on an old laid paper, with a 3/16 inch margin outside the plate mark all around, archival matting. Provenance: Ex collection Graff (with stamp verso, Lugt 1092a), LRV (with stamp verso, Lugt 1761), an unidentified collector’s stamp verso, and Dr. Karl Herveg (his stamp verso, Lugt 3974). A very good impression, with the guidelines of the address strongly visible. Dr. Karl Herweg was a noted collector of 17th Century Dutch prints...
Etching
17th century etching animal print sketch ram sheep tree black and white signed
Located in Milwaukee, WI
"Ram Eating Bark" is an original etching by Karel DuJardin. DuJardin completed many delicate etchings of rams. 3 3/4" x 7 3/4" art 16 3/8" x 19 1/8" f...
Etching
17th century etching black and white figurative landscape obelisk buildings
By Jan Frans van Bloemen (Orizzonte)
Located in Milwaukee, WI
"Figures at the Obelisk" is an original etching by Jan Frans van Bloemen. It depicts two people conversing in front of a monument. Behind them, an expansive landscape sprawls. 9 1/4" x 6 3/4" art 21 3/4" x 19 3/8" frame Jan Frans van Bloemen (baptized 12 May 1662 - buried 13 June 1749) was a Flemish landscape painter mainly active in Rome. Here he was able to establish himself as the leading painter of views (vedute) of the Roman countryside depicted in the aesthetic of the classical landscape tradition. Van Bloemen predominantly painted classical landscapes, taking his inspiration from the Roman Campagna. His landscapes, with their recession through a series of planes, soft, warm lightning and classical and religious subject matter, drew on the examples of artists such as Claude Lorrain and Gaspard Dughet. His paintings are exquisitely imbued with that "difficult-to-define pastoral ambience" which helped to make him such a great painter in the eyes of his contemporaries. The technique and subjects of the work of Jan Frans van Bloemen are also related to painters such as Jan Asselijn, Thomas Wyck...
Etching
$1,700
"Forest Glen, " Etching Landscape initialed in Plate by John Thomas Smith
Located in Milwaukee, WI
"Forest Glen" is an original etching by John Thomas Smith. The piece was initialed in plate. It depicts a small inlet to a lush forest. 3 5/8" x 3 1/2" art 12 7/8" x 12 3/4" frame ...
Etching
Price Upon Request
Christ and His Disciples Harvesting on the Sabbath
Located in Chicago, IL
Engraving after David Vinckboons (Malines 1576-1629 Amsterdam), executed by Jan van Londerseel (Antwerp c. 1570-1624/25 Rotterdam)
Engraving
Price Upon Request
Landscape with the Prophets Ahias and Jerobeam
Located in Chicago, IL
Engraving after David Vinckboons (Malines 1576-1629 Amsterdam), executed by James Van Londerseel (Antwerp c. 1570 - 1624/25 Rotterdam)
Engraving
Price Upon Request
La circoncision dans l'étable - Original Etching by Rembrandt - 1654
Located in Roma, IT
Rembrandt van Rijn (1696-1669), La circoncision dans l’étable, 1654 Etching on watermarked paper. Beautiful artist’s proof, signed and dated in plate higher-left : “Rembrandt 1654”...
Etching
Price Upon Request
Les Grandes Miseres de la Guerre
Located in New York, NY
Jacques Callot (1592-1635), Les Grandes Miseres de la Guerre, etchings, 1633, the complete set of 18. Lieure 1339-56, the frontispiece third state (of 3), th...
Etching