old masters collection
Sir Joshua Reynolds was an English painter, specialising in portraits. John Russell said he was one of the major European painters of the 18th century. He promoted the "Grand Style" in painting which depended on idealization of the imperfect. He was a founder and first president of the Royal Academy of Arts, and was knighted by George III in 1769.
Sir Joshua Reynolds was an English painter, specialising in portraits. John Russell said he was one of the major European painters of the 18th century. He promoted the "Grand Style" in painting which depended on idealization of the imperfect. He was a founder and first president of the Royal Academy of Arts, and was knighted by George III in 1769.
Andrea Soldi was an Italian portraitist active in Britain.
Pier Francesco Mola, called Il Ticinese, was an Italian painter of the High Baroque, mainly active around Rome.
Gerard Dou was a Dutch Golden Age painter, whose small, highly polished paintings are typical of the Leiden fijnschilders. He specialised in genre scenes and is noted for his trompe-l'œil "niche" paintings and candlelit night-scenes with strong chiaroscuro. He was a student of Rembrandt.
Bartolomé Esteban Murillo was a Spanish painter, renowned for his contributions to the world of art and culture. Born in Seville, Spain, in the 17th century, Murillo specialized in religious and genre painting, leaving a lasting impact on the art world.
Murillo is known for his remarkable ability to infuse his paintings with deep emotion and realism. His works often depicted scenes from everyday life, as well as religious subjects. One of his notable specialties was his exceptional skill in capturing the innocence of children in his artwork. His use of soft colors and delicate brushwork gave his paintings a unique and timeless quality.
One of Murillo's most famous works is the series of paintings known as the "Immaculate Conception." These paintings, which depict the Virgin Mary as a young girl, have been praised for their beauty and devotion. Many of his works are housed in museums and galleries around the world, attracting art enthusiasts and collectors.
For collectors and art experts, Murillo's works hold a special place in the art world, with their ability to evoke powerful emotions and capture the essence of the human experience. To stay updated on the latest news and events related to Bartolomé Esteban Murillo's paintings and exhibitions, consider subscribing to our newsletter. We'll keep you informed about new product sales and auction events featuring this exceptional artist's works. Join us in celebrating the legacy of Bartolomé Esteban Murillo and his invaluable contributions to the world of art.
Sandro Botticelli, an Italian painter of the Early Renaissance, was renowned for his exquisite works that beautifully merged classical mythology with religious themes. Born Alessandro di Mariano di Vanni Filipepi in Florence around 1445, Botticelli became a pivotal figure in the Florentine art scene under the patronage of the Medici family. His education under Filippo Lippi honed his skills in painting, leading to a unique style that emphasized linear grace and ethereal beauty. Botticelli's art is celebrated for its elegance and for capturing the spirit of the Renaissance, a period marked by a rebirth of interest in classical antiquity and humanistic values.
Botticelli's oeuvre includes iconic mythological paintings like "The Birth of Venus" and "Primavera," both housed in the Uffizi Gallery in Florence. These masterpieces are distinguished by their allegorical complexity and the delicate portrayal of figures that seem to transcend the earthly realm, reflecting Botticelli's interest in blending myth with a narrative style that appeals to the viewer's sense of wonder and contemplation. His religious works, characterized by expressive emotion and devotional intensity, also earned him acclaim, particularly his contributions to the Sistine Chapel in Rome.
Despite his success, Botticelli's later years were marked by a shift in style influenced by the somber preachings of Savonarola, leading to a preference for more devotional themes. His reputation waned posthumously until the late 19th century, when a resurgence of interest in his work restored Botticelli to his rightful place as a master of the Renaissance. Today, Botticelli is regarded as an artist whose works encapsulate the innovative spirit of his time, bridging the Gothic tradition with the emerging Renaissance aesthetic. His legacy endures, inspiring art lovers and collectors who are drawn to the ethereal beauty and rich symbolism of his paintings.
For those captivated by the allure of Renaissance art, subscribing for updates on new discoveries, sales, and auction events related to Sandro Botticelli can enrich your appreciation and knowledge of this remarkable artist's contribution to the world of art and culture.
Jacob Levecq was a Dutch portrait painter of the Golden Age, a disciple of Rembrandt, and a member of the Dordrecht Guild of St. Luke. Levecq is known mainly for his portraits.
Francesco Lazzaro Guardi was an Italian painter, nobleman, and a member of the Venetian School. He is considered to be among the last practitioners, along with his brothers, of the classic Venetian school of painting.
In the early part of his career he collaborated with his older brother Gian Antonio in the production of religious paintings. After Gian Antonio's death in 1760, Francesco concentrated on vedute. The earliest of these show the influence of Canaletto, but he gradually adopted a looser style characterized by spirited brush-strokes and freely imagined architecture.
Jan Siberechts was a Flemish landscape painter whose career spanned both his native land and England. Initially, Siberechts developed a personal style of landscape painting in Antwerp, emphasizing Flemish countryside and country life. His work was influenced by Dutch Italianate landscape painters such as Nicolaes Berchem and Karel Dujardin, reflecting a blend of local and Italianate elements. This phase of his career was marked by vivid depictions of the Flemish rural life, with robust country girls in bright attire becoming a signature motif of his paintings.
Siberechts moved to England around 1672, where he significantly contributed to the English landscape tradition. In England, he painted decorations for the Duke's Cliveden House and later, traveled extensively, completing commissions for aristocratic clients. His English landscapes maintained their Flemish character but also started to focus more on universal themes, with less emphasis on figures and more on the scenery itself. These works are characterized by powerful trees, soft light on distant hills, and a relatively dark foreground to highlight the illuminated vistas in the background.
Siberechts is credited as the 'father of British landscape' for his pioneering country house portraits, blending detailed naturalistic views of stately homes into atmospheric landscapes. This innovative approach had a lasting influence on English landscape painting. His work, such as the views of Longleat and the Belsize Estate, represents an important step in the development of topographical painting, merging Flemish influences with the emerging English landscape tradition.
For collectors and experts in art and antiques, Siberechts' oeuvre offers a unique window into the transnational flow of artistic ideas in the 17th century, blending Flemish traditions with the nascent English landscape genre. His paintings, celebrated for their detail and historical topographical interest, can be found in prestigious collections such as the Tate Gallery London and the Victoria and Albert Museum.
For updates on exhibitions, sales, and auction events related to Jan Siberechts' work, art enthusiasts are encouraged to sign up for dedicated newsletters. This ensures that they remain informed about the latest opportunities to explore and appreciate the contributions of this influential Flemish artist to the landscape painting genre.
