18th Century Portrait Paintings

James Northcote Portrait of a Gentleman Commoner at Oxford Oil on canvas Image size: 30 x 25 inches (76 x 63.5 cm) Original gilt frame This painting is a comparatively rare example ...

Benedetto Luti (Florence, Italy, 1666 - Rome, Italy, 1724) Title: Head of a Girl Medium: Oil pastel on canvas Dimensions: without frame 28 x 23.5 cm - with frame 38.5 x 33.5 cm Origi...

Sir John Wynn, 5th Baronet Canvas Size: 50 x 40" (127 x 102cm) Outside Frame Size: 58 x 48" (147 x 122cm) Sir John Wynn, 5th Baronet (1628 – 11 January ...

Italian painter (Second half of the 18th century) - Portrait with aphorism by Nicolas Chamfort. 92 x 68 cm. Oil on canvas, unframed (not signed). - Inscription: "There are more fo...

Attributed to, Alessandro Longhi 1733-1813, was a prominent Venetian portrait painter, printmaker, and biographer. The son of the famous genre painter Pietro Longhi, he is known for his detailed oil portraits of the Venetian aristocracy and his valuable book on contemporary Venetian painters. Longhi early life and training Born: Alessandro Longhi was born on June 12, 1733, in Venice. He received his initial training from his father, Pietro Longhi. He later studied under Giuseppe Nogari, a respected portraitist in Venice during the 18th century, and was elected to the Venetian Academy in 1759. Longhi specialized in portraiture, primarily depicting the nobles and officials of the Republic of Venice. His paintings are a valuable record of the social and political structure of 18th-century Venice. Rococo aesthetic: Working in the Rococo style, he was adept at capturing the elegance and social status of his subjects. He paid meticulous attention to the elaborate robes, wigs, and emblems of office that signified his subjects' power. While his official state portraits could be stiff and formal, his portraits of less noble patrons demonstrated a greater sense of realism and psychological insight. Longhi was also an accomplished printmaker, particularly in etching. His etching technique showed an awareness of Rembrandt's work, and he used this skill to reproduce his and his father's paintings. In 1762, he published Compendio delle vite de' pittori veneziani istorici più rinomati del presente secolo, a biographical dictionary of contemporary Venetian painters that is still an important resource for art historians. Longhi illustrated the book with etched portraits of the artists. The portrait of Carlo Goldoni: One of his most celebrated paintings is his portrait of the Venetian playwright and librettist Carlo Goldoni. For his election to the Venetian Academy, he painted this allegory, which features a personified figure of Painting. His known portraits include Portrait of a Lady (Uffizi Gallery, Florence), Portrait of a Musician, and various portraits of Venetian nobles and officials. I have included further albeit identical biographies of Alessandro Longhi. Alessandro Longhi (born June 12, 1733, Venice—died 1813, Venice) was a painter, etcher, and biographer of Venetian artists, and was the most important Venetian portrait painter of his day. The son of the painter Pietro Longhi, he was given his first training by his father, who quite soon put him to study under the portrait painter Giuseppe Nogari. In 1759 he was elected a member of the Venetian academy, for which he painted one of his rare allegorical pictures, “Painting and Merit.” In 1762 Longhi issued his book Compendio delle Vite de’ Pittori Veneziani Istorici piu rinomati del presente secolo con sui ritratti dal naturale delineati ed indisi, one of the most important source books for the history of Venetian 18th-century painting. Both portraits and text were printed from plates he etched. Longhi’s facilely rendered portraits are largely generalized likenesses lacking any acuity of character observation. He mainly portrayed the leading Venetian luminaries and dignitaries of his day in a style that drew upon his father’s Rococo manner and 16th-century traditions of Venetian Renaissance portraiture. The personal details available for the painter Alessandro Longhi are limited, but his biography is intertwined with that of his family and the city of Venice. He was the son of a successful painter, which set his artistic path, and is known for creating sensitive and realistic portraits that captured the social atmosphere of 18th-century Venice. Alessandro was born in Venice in 1733 to the celebrated genre painter Pietro Longhi. He received his early training from his father before studying under another prominent portraitist, Giuseppe Nogari. A contrast to his father: While his father was known for painting scenes of everyday Venetian life, Alessandro focused almost exclusively on portraiture. His skill enabled him to capture the intimate psychology and character of his subjects, a quality especially evident in his portraits of less noble patrons. Election to the academy: In 1759, Alessandro was elected to the Accademia dei Pittori, the Venetian Academy of Painting. His election solidified his reputation as a master of the Rococo style. Beyond painting, Longhi was an accomplished printmaker, primarily producing etchings that reproduced his own works and those of his father. In 1762, he published the Compendio delle vite de' pittori veneziani, a collection of biographies of contemporary Venetian painters, which is an important historical resource. He became a prominent portraitist for Venice's upper class, including nobles and state officials. His official state portraits featured grand, full-length depictions of his subjects in their elaborate robes and emblems of office. Emphasis on realism: In contrast to the stylized nature of official portraits, Alessandro was praised for the "reality" he captured in works featuring common people. For example, his 1760 portrait of an innkeeper was celebrated for its realistic subject matter and "nuova maniera" (new manner). The art historian Olimpia Theodoli noted that Longhi's etching technique showed he had a firsthand knowledge of Rembrandt's work. Among his more famous works are a sensitive portrait of playwright Carlo Goldoni and the painting Portrait of a Wine Butler. He also produced religious and allegorical works, including paintings of the "Apostles" for the church of San Pantalon in Venice. This painting has been carefully conserved and the frame also, the frame looks to be original to the picture but we have no way of confirming this but we believe it to be so. 18th Century Italian portraits...

Giuseppe Maria Crespi, known as Lo Spagnoletto (Bologna 1665 - Bologna 1747) - Pair of Children. 74 x 50 cm unframed, 86 x 62 cm with frame. Oil on canvas, in carved and gilded woo...

Title: Portrait of Democritus Médium: oil on canvas laid on wooden panel Signature: signed under right Provenance: private collection France Dimensions canvas: 49 cm x 49 cm Dimensio...

Oil on Canvas. On the back is a pencil inscription identifying the painter portrayed as "Joseph Moreno espagnol 1662." The face framed in an oval is accompanied at the base by the pa...

George Knapton 1698-1778 Portrait of a Girl Oil on canvas Image size: 20 x 18 inches Original giltwood frame This beautiful half length portrait  of a young woman, turned to left, gazing at the spectator, wearing a pink, white lace-embroidered, dress, in her hair a pink bonnet trimmed with lace to match her dress. The depiction of a young girl epitomises child portraiture of the late eighteenth century, in which painters such as William Beechey, Joshua Reynolds, Thomas Gainsborough had begun to discover and express the true character of children, in contrast to the stiff, miniature-adults of previous generations. The Artist Knapton was born in Lymington, one of four sons of James Knapton. He was apprenticed to Jonathan Richardson from 1715 to 1722, and in 1720 was a founding subscriber to the academy of St. Martin's Lane established by Louis Chéron...

English painter (late 18th century) - The Connoisseur and Tired Boy. 39.5 x 32 cm without frame, 46 x 38 cm with frame. Antique oil painting on canvas,...

Oil Painting Stye of Benjamin Marshall "The Hobby Horse" 1768 -1835 painter of sporting subjects especially racing scenes. This fine late Regency portrait is in his slightly caricatu...

This fantastic portrait oil painting is attributed to British Old Master Joseph Highmore and was painted in 1770. The half length standing portrait is of a Cleric, dressed in his wig...

This charming 18th century Old Master cartouche portrait oil painting is attributed to the circle of Philip Mercier. Painted circa 1740 the composition is a three quarter length portrait of a young girl holding a wicker basket of flowers. She is clothed in a white dress and beautiful blue silk shawl and is situated in a landscape. A very lovely British Old Master portrait oil painting. Provenance. Christies. Condition. Oil on canvas, 30 inches by 25 inches and in good condition. Frame. Housed in an ornate gilt carved 18th century frame, 38 inches by 33 inches and in good condition. Philippe Mercier (also known as Philip Mercier; 1689-1760) was a French painter and etcher, who lived principally and was active in England. He was born in Berlin of French extraction, the son of a Huguenot tapestry-worker. He studied painting at the Akademie der Wissenschaften of Berlin and later under Antoine Pesne, who had arrived in Berlin in 1710. Later, he travelled in Italy and France before arriving in London—"recommended by the Court at Hannover"—probably in 1716. He married in London in 1719 and lived in Leicester Fields. He was appointed principal painter and librarian to the Prince and Princess of Wales at their independent establishment in Leicester Fields, and while he was in favour he painted various portraits of...

Philippe Mercier (also spelled Philip Mercier; 1689 – 18 July 1760) born in Berlin, was an artist of French Huguenot descent from the German realm of Brandenburg-Prussia (later Kingd...

Portrait Of A Piedmont Nobleman & Military Officer, House Of Savoy, early 18th century Italian School Fine large 18th Century portrait of a Piedmont ...

Saint Nazarius & Celsus (350AD), 18th Century Diptych Of The Christian Knights & Martyrs after lost work by Bartolomeo Montagna (1450-1523) Large 18th Century Italian Old Master de...

Clan Murray, Coat Of Arms, Duke Of Atholl, 18th Century Scottish School Large 18th Century Scottish Clan Murray Coats of Arms, oil on canvas. The shield bearing allegiance to the c...

French Academic School, 18th century Portrait tête d’expression study of a gentleman, c. 1780-90 Oil on canvas 46.1 x 35 cm.; (within frame) 57.5 x 46.6. cm. Provenance: Private Co...

This superb late 18th century portrait oil painting is attributed to noted Scottish artist Alexander Nasmyth. Painted circa 1790 the sitter is of the Wagstaff family, either Thomas o...

Portrait of Maharaja Bhim Singh of Jodhpur , late 18th century Gouache, opaque watercolor , gold on paper Dimensions : 12 x 8 ½ in. ( 18 x 14 in. w. frame) This finely rendered pa...

The painting (oil on canvas 80 x 106 cm; with Salvador Rosa-style gilded frame 88 x 116 cm) depicts a group of four children who are playing outside on a swing; we are probably deali...

Beautiful pastel on paper laid down on canvas in an oval shape. It depicts a young noblewoman portrayed three-quarter-length with her little dog in her arms. Seated in a gilded armch...

Follower of Enoch Seeman the Younger German, (1694-1744) Portrait of Gilbert Sympkin Oil on canvas Image size: 29.25 inches x 24.5 inches Size including frame: 38 inches x 33.25 inches A fine three quarter length portrait of a gentleman traditionally identified as Gilbert Simpkin (Sympkin), follower of Enoch Seeman the younger, C1720. The portrait is set in a feigned sculptured oval cartouche, a device used to give a sense of depth. The sitter is depicted wearing a fashionable blue jacket and matching waistcoat with a white chemise and lace jabot. He wears a powdered wig in the fashionable style of the day and is posed holding his hat under his left arm with the fingers of his right hand stretched out. At court, long fingers signified wealth, culture and intelligence. The painting has clearly been executed by an artist of great ability who has been influenced by Enoch Seeman the younger. Gilbert Simpkin (Sympkin) was born in London on 24 August 1683, the son of John Simpkin and Susannah Butler. His grandfather was also called Gilbert Simpkin. He entered Oxford University in 1700 where he studied at St John’s College. In 1702, he became a student of Middle Temple, which at the time was one of the world’s most important centres of legal education. He later settled in Plymouth and then Bristol. He died in Bristol on 15 May, 1744 and was buried at Bristol Cathedral. He remained unmarried and the portrait may well have been commissioned to commemorate when he was first Called to the Bar or perhaps had established his own practice. Enoch Seeman or Seemann the younger was born in Danzig, Germany now Gdansk, Poland in 1694. His father was Enoch Seeman Senior, an artist of Flemish origin and his brothers Isaac, Noah and Abraham also became artists. He came to London with his father and brothers around 1704 and established himself as a portrait artist. From 1717 he became painter to the Royal court painting...

John Alexander (Scottish, 1686-1766) Portrait of George Gordon, 7th Laird of Buckie (Scottish, 1707-1756), c. 1743 Oil on canvas In a carved ebonised frame, with gilded inner slight...

Saint John the Baptist & Saint Benedict, 18th Century Diptych after lost work by Bartolomeo Montagna (1450-1523) Large 18th Century Italian Old Master depiction of Saint John the B...

This portrait depicts us the trusted confidant of the Conflans d'Armentières family. More precisely, Julien Prieur was the fiscal procurator of the Marquisate of Armentières, playing...

Louis-Gabriel BLANCHET (Versailles, 1701 – Rome, 1772) Presumed self-portrait of the artist Oil on canvas H. 73 cm; W. 60 cm Circa 1730 Originally presented in a Restoration period frame with a "Mignard" cartouche, this beautiful painting initially appeared to us as a work from northern Italy. However, it exuded a rather French form of refinement, suggesting that its artist may have assimilated a dual influence from both sides of the Alps. We thank our colleague and friend Philippe Mendès for spontaneously and judiciously "bringing out" the name of Louis-Gabriel Blanchet, a Romanized French portraitist, whose spirit and stylistic characteristics we clearly recognize here. Blanchet's "French" years, before his final departure for Rome in 1728, following his winning of the second Grand Prix for painting after Subleyras in 1727, are extremely poorly documented. His father, Gabriel, was valet to Blouin, himself Louis XIV's first valet at the time. According to Thierry Lefrançois, Blanchet was one of the few students of Nicolas Bertin (1667-1736), whose studio he is said to have joined in the early 1720s. At a baptism on March 24, 1724, where he was godfather, he is mentioned as a painter in the picture store of the Duke of Antin, the director of buildings between 1708 and 1736. At this time, he was probably already married to Jeanne Quément, with whom he had a daughter also named Jeanne, who would marry Nicolas Aviet, the son of a valet in the queen's wardrobe, in Versailles in 1738. When Blanchet arrived in Rome in October 1728, he was accompanied by Subleyras, Trémolières, and Slodtz. He enjoyed the goodwill of Vleughels, the director of the Académie de France, which had been based at the Palazzo Mancini since 1725, even though the latter was not always kind to our resident. From 1732, he was under the protection of the Duke of Saint-Aignan when he took up his post as ambassador to Rome. Along with Slodtz and Subleyras, they formed a trio of friends, joined by Joseph Vernet shortly after his arrival in Rome in 1734. Slodtz and Blanchet, on the occasion of Subleyras's marriage in 1739, were there to attest that their friend was not bound by any marital commitment, and Blanchet was a witness at Vernet's wedding in 1745. It is most likely from these early years in Rome that our portrait of the artist dates, the expression and turn of his face irresistibly reminiscent of a self-portrait. The still relatively youthful features may correspond to Blanchet's thirty-something years, and the fluffy wig was still fashionable at this time. The painting fits well with the depiction of a young painter wanting to display both the beginnings of success and a certain simplicity or restraint. A slight smile expresses a form of assurance in this man with a gentle, sincere gaze and a face radiating a keen sense of wit. We find here the air of intimacy present in almost all of Blanchet's portraits, even those from the 1750s and 1760s, as well as an almost complicity with the viewer. The spirit of the painting is quite close to that of the presumed portrait of Bouchardon (painted around 1730) and the portrait of Pannini, painted in 1736, but it possesses a more natural quality, notably thanks to the absence of decorum. Our work exhibits the characteristics of Blanchet's paintings: elegance, luminosity (especially in the whites), vibrant and refined colors (here, the harmony of the garnet of the garment and the slate blue of the background, whose uniformity is tempered by a very sketched landscape and a grove of greenery), light complexions, rather rosy cheekbones, often full lips, and rather tight framing. According to the Academy's rules, Blanchet's stay should have ended in the spring of 1732, but, for reasons unknown, he remained in the Eternal City until his death, as did his friend Subleyras, with whom he shared accommodation until the late 1730s. The latter regularly called upon him to collaborate on his paintings, such as The Meal at Simon's. Through Saint-Aignan's intervention, Blanchet was employed in the late 1730s by the Stuart princely family, then exiled in Italy. He notably produced copies (now lost) after Liotard of the portraits of Charles Edward and Henry Benedict, the sons of James III Stuart. The latter also commissioned three other portraits (now in the National Portrait Gallery in London), whose more formal character contrasts with the intimate spirit of Blanchet's portraits. Blanchet frequented English painters, such as the landscape painter Richard Wilson, and studied with the Scottish portraitist Katherine Read...

Jean-Baptiste Perroneau (Paris, 1715 – Amsterdam, 1783) Portrait of a lady Oil on oval canvas 60 x 50 cm. - In frame 77 x 66 cm. Work accompanied by expertise: Raffaelle Colace (Cremona), Ferdinando Arisi Reference bibliography: d’Arnoult, Dominique (2014) Jean-Baptiste Perronneau, c 1715-1783, un portraitiste dans l’Europe des Lumières Excerpt from the expertise of Dr. Colace: This refined portrait of a lady is a perfect example of the style of Jean-Baptiste Perroneau, a very talented French painter, whose most beautiful works are located, just like this one, between the fifth and sixth decades of the eighteenth century. "Perroneaeu is more naturally colored than La Tour, the est, in the peinture de poussière colorée, tout plein de tons clairs, frais, presque humides": this is how his brothers wrote about him in La Maison d...

Olio su tela. La nobildonna è riccamente abbigliata in un abito da sera in velluto scuro e volants bianchi, con inserti di perle e un mantello di raso rosso drappeggiato morbidament...

Attributed to Gainsborough Dupont (1754 - 1797, British) Portrait of Owen Ormsby, bust-length, in a brown coat, with slightly later inscription identifying the sitter oil on canvas 2...

Attributed to Jacques DUMONT aka DUMONT LE ROMAIN (Paris 1701 - 1781) Presumed portrait of Louis-Joseph de Formanoir (?-1732) Oil on canvas H. 91.5 cm; L. 73 cm Signed on the helmet:...

The Flagellation of Christ, 17th Century Italian School Fine huge 17th Century Italian Old Master depiction of the Flagellation of Christ, oil on canvas. Excellent quality full len...

Oil painting on canvas. Venetian school of the eighteenth century. The portrait proposes the figure of a young woman wearing an everyday dress, but embellished with spotted fur...

Portrait of a Privateer Francis Hayman 1708 - 1776 Oil on canvas Image size: 20 x 14 inches (51 x 36 cm) Contemporary style frame Provenance Charles Fleischmann Esq Here, a small ...

Benedetto Luti (Florence, Italy, 1666 - Rome, Italy, 1724) Title: Head of a Girl Medium: Oil pastel on canvas Dimensions: without frame 28 x 23.5 cm - with frame 38.5 x 33.5 cm Origi...

Vittore Ghislandi, called Fra Galgario Provenance: Robert L. and Bertina Suida Manning, New York, ca. 1966-1996 Private Collection, USA Exhibited: “Eighteenth Century European Pai...