In our latest article, we explore some of the most renowned antique oil paintings and their creators, highlighting their significance and lasting impact.
Oil painting has been a dominant art form for centuries, producing some of the most iconic and cherished masterpieces in history. From the Renaissance to modern art, famous oil paintings have captured human emotions, historical events, and imaginative worlds. Here are some of our favourites!
Mona Lisa – Leonardo da Vinci
One of the most recognised paintings in the world, Mona Lisa was created by Leonardo da Vinci between 1503 and 1506. Housed in the Louvre Museum in Paris, this portrait is famous for its subject’s enigmatic smile and masterful sfumato technique, where da Vinci skilfully blended colours and tones to create a soft, realistic effect. The identity of the woman in the painting remains a mystery, adding to its allure.
The Starry Night – Vincent van Gogh
Vincent van Gogh’s The Starry Night (1889) is one of the most beloved oil paintings of all time. Created while Van Gogh was in a mental asylum in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, France, this swirling nightscape showcases his emotional turmoil and artistic genius. The vibrant blues and yellows, along with the expressive brushstrokes, make this painting a symbol of post-impressionist art.
The Persistence of Memory – Salvador Dalí
A surreal masterpiece, The Persistence of Memory (1931) by Salvador Dalí is known for its melting clocks and dreamlike landscape. This painting represents the fluidity of time and the subconscious mind, which were key themes in Dalí’s surrealist works. The use of oil on canvas allows for smooth blending and vivid contrasts, making it an unforgettable piece in modern art.
Girl with a Pearl Earring – Johannes Vermeer
Often called the “Mona Lisa of the North,” Johannes Vermeer’s Girl with a Pearl Earring (1665) is a stunning example of Baroque portraiture. The painting captures a young girl with an intriguing expression and a luminous pearl earring, painted with remarkable detail. Vermeer’s mastery of light and texture in oil painting adds to the mystery and beauty of the work.
The Night Watch – Rembrandt van Rijn
A monumental Baroque painting, The Night Watch (1642) by Rembrandt van Rijn showcases Dutch militia in dramatic motion. Unlike traditional group portraits, Rembrandt infused this oil painting with movement, depth, and powerful contrasts of light and shadow. It remains one of the most celebrated works in the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam.
The Birth of Venus – Sandro Botticelli
Although not a typical oil painting, Sandro Botticelli’s The Birth of Venus (c. 1484–1486) is often compared to oil masterpieces due to its breathtaking beauty and technique. This early Renaissance painting, created using tempera on canvas, depicts Venus emerging from the sea on a shell. Its harmonious composition and delicate use of colour make it an enduring symbol of beauty and mythology.
The Last Supper – Leonardo da Vinci
Another Leonardo da Vinci masterpiece, The Last Supper (1495–1498), is one of the most famous religious paintings ever created. Though painted using tempera and oil on a wall rather than canvas, its influence on oil painting techniques is profound. It captures the moment Jesus announces his betrayal, with dramatic expressions and masterful perspective.
The Scream – Edvard Munch
While The Scream (1893) by Edvard Munch was created using various media, including oil, it is one of the most recognizable paintings in modern art. Depicting a figure with an agonized expression against a swirling sky, this painting symbolises existential angst and human anxiety. The bold colours and emotional intensity make it a defining work of Expressionism.
Guernica – Pablo Picasso
Although Pablo Picasso is often associated with Cubism, his 1937 masterpiece Guernica stands out as a powerful political statement against war. Created using oil on canvas, this massive black-and-white painting portrays the horrors of the Spanish Civil War. The fragmented figures and chaotic composition make it a timeless anti-war symbol.
Impression, Sunrise – Claude Monet
Claude Monet’s Impression, Sunrise (1872) is the painting that gave Impressionism its name. It features a hazy sunrise over the harbour of Le Havre, France, and Monet’s use of oil paint captures the fleeting effects of light and atmosphere. His loose brushstrokes and vibrant colours revolutionised the art world, inspiring generations of painters.
Each of these masterpieces represents the creativity and vision of its artist, and has left a lasting impact on culture and art around the world.
Collecting antique oil paintings
While oil paintings have shaped the course of art history, from the detailed realism of the Renaissance to the bold expressions of modernism, few of us will ever own a masterpiece like those above. But that doesn’t mean that collecting antique oil paintings is out of reach! Our beginner’s guide to collecting antique art has lots of helpful tips for the novice collector, including following your heart and not the financial gain.
Finding antique art for sale
For the inexperienced, where to find antique art for sale can be challenging. Auctions can be thrilling but there is always a buyer’s and seller’s premium to pay on top of, or out of, the final hammer price. Online marketplaces can be a minefield for those not entirely confident and you should always beware of buying anything from pictures alone.
Antique oil paintings for sale at Hemswell Antique Centres
Buying antique oil paintings from antique centres like Hemswell, gives you the opportunity to examine the pieces closely, and ask questions. Many of our dealers are members of BADA (the British Antique Dealers’ Association) and LAPADA (the London and Provincial Antique Dealers’ Association) and add to their collections regularly. With almost a thousand paintings and prints online, including oil paintings on board, oil paintings on canvas, and oil paintings on panel, we have fine examples at every price point and in every style. With four buildings full of beautiful pieces too, a trip to our centres in person is not to be missed. Close to the historic cathedral city of Lincoln, we offer a wonderful day of browsing to anyone visiting the area.
