Question 1

What dresses were popular in the 1940s?

Accepted Answer

A number of dresses were popular during the 1940s. Many women wore short-waist dresses with button necks, collars, fitted waists and full skirts. The classic A-lines with knee-length hems in red, white and blue colors were also a trend. Shop a collection of vintage dresses on 1stDibs.

Question 2

What did Ladies Wear in the 1940s?

Accepted Answer

In the 1940s, ladies wore clothes defined by clean and slim silhouettes. The jackets, blouses and sweaters often featured shoulderpads and had somewhat of a military feel. Most dresses were quite casual and pants and playsuits became part of a woman's everyday style.

Question 3

What is a 1940s style dress?

Accepted Answer

The most popular 1940s-style dress was the shirtwaist dress. It had a front opening like a men’s shirt, but with large buttons in the front of the dress, which was practical and easy to wear. The sleeves were short and necklines varied from shirt style to sweetheart and other necklines. Antique and vintage dresses from well-known designers are available on 1stDibs.

Question 4

How do I identify an oil painting?

Accepted Answer

To identify an oil painting, look closely at its surface. Compared to other paintings, pieces produced in oils usually show off a variety of textures across the canvas, and the paint will appear layered on. If you're looking to determine the name, age or creator of a work, try snapping a photo with your smartphone’s camera and conducting a reverse image search online. Shop a diverse assortment of oil paintings on 1stDibs.

Question 5

Who is the father of oil painting?

Accepted Answer

Jan van Eyck is widely considered by art historians to be the father of oil painting. While the usage of oil paints dates back to 7th-century China, the Flemish painter popularized the material, using oils to produce highly detailed works such as The Arnolfini Portrait. The Northern Renaissance master also influenced many other artists, such as Hugo van der Goes and Gerard David. Shop an assortment of fine art on 1stDibs.

Question 6

When was oil paint invented?

Accepted Answer

Oil paint was invented during the 7th century A.D. The earliest examples of oil paintings have been traced to Afghanistan and depict scenes related to the Buddhist religion. Records dating back to the 12th century indicate that early Christian monks in Europe used oil paints to decorate furniture, and a century later, some artists began finishing tempera paintings with touches of oil paint. It wasn't until the 15th century that oil paints became a common medium for European painters, when Flemish artists like Jan van Eyck began favoring them over tempera. Explore a variety of oil paintings on 1stDibs.

Question 7

How do you maintain oil paintings?

Accepted Answer

To maintain oil paintings that you purchased for your home, experts suggest that you keep them out of direct sunlight. Prolonged exposure to the sunlight coming in from a window can fade the colors in your painting. Do not hang your oil painting near a heat source or where it can get wet (bathrooms and kitchens are not safe for your oil painting).

You may wish to dust your oil painting so that layers of dust don’t begin to gather on its surface. This should only be considered to remove loose dust. Never spray any chemical substance on your oil painting. Do not use a damp cloth to dust your oil painting. (Again, your painting should not be exposed to moisture.)

To remove loose dust, use a soft brush that measures approximately one to two inches wide with natural-hair bristles. Do not use a dust cloth or a feather duster, as those items may catch or leave threads or feathers behind. Do not apply pressure or dust your painting for an extended period of time.

If you think that your oil painting is considerably dirty or believe that other issues may be at work, experts strongly suggest that you consult with a professional conservator.

Read about how to arrange your wall art and find oil paintings for sale on 1stDibs.

Question 8

What is abstract oil painting?

Accepted Answer

An%20abstract%20oil%20painting%20and%20an%20artwork%20that%20is%20made%20with%20oil%20paint%20on%20a%20medium%20like%20canvas%2C%20wood%20board%2C%20or%20other%20panels%20like%20canvas%20board.%20And%20the%20'abstract'%20term%20refers%20to%20the%20Movement%20%26%20Style%20of%20the%20piece.%20As%20abstraction%20indicates%20a%20departure%20from%20reality%20in%20the%20depiction%20of%20imagery%20in%20art%2C%20the%20artist%20creates%20a%20painting%20where%20the%20subject%2C%20shape%2C%20form%2C%20color%2C%20and%20line%2C%20is%20created%20with%20no%20particular%20references%20of%20the%20world%20but%20as%20a%20composition%20that%20may%20exist%20with%20a%20degree%20of%20independence%20from%20its%20vision.

Question 9

Can you use oil paint on wood?

Accepted Answer

You can use oil paint on wood as long as you prep the wood first. The first thing you should do is seal the wood with a primer. Ideally, paint two coats of sealer onto the wood so that the paint doesn't cause the wood to rot over time.

Question 10

Did Dali use oil paint?

Accepted Answer

Yes, Dali did indeed use oil paint. Although he used oil paints in the traditional method, he would at times add natural resin or linseed oil to play with fluidity and texture. You can shop a selection of Salvador Dali’s pieces from some of the world’s top art dealers on 1stDibs.

Question 11

How can you tell how old an oil painting is?

Accepted Answer

To tell how old an oil painting is, research the artist who produced it. You can use the mobile app Smartify to snap a photo of the signature on your painting and identify the artist. Read biographical information about the artist online and look at images of their work to estimate the age of your piece. Alternatively, you can get the opinion of a knowledgeable art dealer or certified appraiser. Explore a wide variety of oil paintings on 1stDibs.

Question 12

Where is the largest oil painting in the world?

Accepted Answer

The largest oil painting in the world is in the main hall of the Doge's Palace located in Venice, Italy. Its name is Il Paradiso. Tintoretto painted it around 1592, and it measures 22 meters by 7 meters. Shop a large collection of oil paintings on 1stDibs.

Question 13

Is it necessary to varnish oil paintings?

Accepted Answer

Varnishing an oil is not necessary, but it is recommended because it protects the painting and corrects surface irregularities.

Question 14

What is the difference between a lithograph and an oil painting?

Accepted Answer

The difference between a lithograph and an oil painting comes down to uniqueness and technique. To produce an oil painting, an artist applies oil-based paints to a canvas or another surface using a brush. The process results in a single work of art. Lithography is a form of printmaking that begins by drawing on or painting on a stone surface with an oil-based substance, such as a greasy crayon or tusche, an oily wash. The stone is then covered with water, which is repelled by the oily areas. Oil-based ink is then applied to the wet stone, adhering only to the oily image. Through lithography, an artist can produce dozens, or even thousands, of copies of a single image. On 1stDibs, shop a large selection of lithographs and oil paintings.

Question 15

What makes an oil painting valuable?

Accepted Answer

A few things make an oil painting valuable. Age has a major impact on price, with pieces made over a century ago tending to fetch the highest prices. Who created the painting also matters. The more famous the artist, the higher the selling price for a painting is likely to be. Finally, the condition of the work and whether it is in its original frame will also impact how much it is worth. Find a diverse assortment of oil paintings on 1stDibs.

Question 16

How much do oil paintings cost?

Accepted Answer

On 1stdibs, oil paintings cost between $60 and $6,200,000.

Question 17

Do oil paintings darken over time?

Accepted Answer

Yes, oil paintings darken over time. As oil paint is made of pigment particles, the range of substances that are used as pigment in oil paint can render certain colors susceptible to aging. Slowing the aging process for an oil painting involves storing your painting properly and keeping the work out of exposed sunlight. Temperature control and humidity are also important in preserving the life of an oil painting and slowing the aging process.

To maintain oil paintings that you purchased for your home, experts suggest that you keep them out of direct sunlight. Prolonged exposure to the sunlight coming in from a window can fade the colors in your painting. Do not hang your oil painting near a heat source or where it can get wet (bathrooms and kitchens are not safe for your oil painting).

You may wish to dust your oil painting so that layers of dust don’t begin to gather on its surface. This should only be considered to remove loose dust. Never spray any chemical substance on your oil painting. Do not use a damp cloth to dust your oil painting. (Again, your painting should not be exposed to moisture.)

To remove loose dust, use a soft brush that measures approximately one to two inches wide with natural-hair bristles. Do not use a dust cloth or a feather duster, as those items may catch or leave threads or feathers behind. Do not apply pressure or dust your painting for an extended period of time.

If you think that your oil painting is considerably dirty or believe that other issues may be at work, experts strongly suggest that you consult with a professional conservator.

Read about how to arrange your wall art and find oil paintings for sale on 1stDibs.

Question 18

How can I tell if an oil painting is real?

Accepted Answer

To tell if your oil painting is authentic, first check the signature of the artist to start your research. Use a magnifying glass to check the texture of the painting, and finally check the back for the painting’s original stretchers. Shop a selection of expertly vetted artwork from some of the world’s top art dealers on 1stDibs.

Question 19

How do you know if an oil painting is valuable?

Accepted Answer

Because the value of an oil painting can vary greatly based on the artist, the subject and the condition of the piece, it's generally best to work with a certified appraiser. A knowledgeable professional can evaluate the piece and estimate its value. Shop a variety of authentic oil paintings from some of the world’s top galleries on 1stDibs.

Question 20

How much are oil paintings worth?

Accepted Answer

Any%20artwork%20is%20worth%20and%20only%20worth%20the%20price%20someone%20is%20willing%20to%20pay%20for%20it%20(unfortunately%2C%20whether%20one%20can%20afford%20it%20or%20not%20is%20another%20story).%20%20Different%20people%20may%20have%20different%20reasons%20to%20attribute%20value%20to%20an%20artwork%2C%20from%20the%20purest%20(falling%20in%20love%20with%20it)%20to%20what%20is%20often%20considered%20as%20the%20most%20vile%20(speculation)%2C%20going%20through%20remembrance%2C%20pride%20of%20ownership%2C%20or%20brag%2C%20among%20other%20reasons.%0A%0AFor%20most%20living%20artists%2C%20the%20price%20of%20the%20artworks%20is%20usually%20set%20by%20the%20artist%20and%2For%20the%20gallery%20which%20represent%20him%20or%20her%2C%20by%20type%20and%20size%20of%20artwork%2C%20and%20corresponds%20to%20an%20equilibrium%20price%20between%20the%20rate%20at%20which%20artworks%20are%20sold%20and%20the%20rate%20at%20which%20new%20artworks%20are%20produced%20by%20the%20artist.%0A%0AFor%20artworks%20from%20dead%20artists%20sold%20by%20professional%20dealers%2C%20the%20price%20is%20often%20based%20on%20auctions%20results%20for%20similar%20pieces%20of%20the%20same%20artists.%0A%0AOil%20paintings%20are%20usually%20pricier%20than%20other%20techniques%20because%20it%20is%20considered%20more%20difficult%20to%20master%2C%20but%20also%20because%20oil%20paintings%20are%20known%20for%20their%20ability%20to%20last%20centuries.

1940s Oil Paintings

1940s Modern Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Mino MaccariCastor Oil - Drawing by Mino Maccari - 1940s, 1940s

Mid-20th Century Realist Portrait Paintings

Howard BarronFramed 1940s Portrait Painting Katherine Merry Director Horstmann Gear Company, 1946

1940s American Modern Landscape Paintings

Harold HaydonA Pair of 1940s Diminutive Paintings of Vermont by Harold Haydon, 1945

Mid-20th Century Realist Figurative Paintings

1940s Philippino Masterpiece

1940s American Modern Landscape Paintings

Harold HaydonA Charming, Modern 1940s Vermont Landscape Painting, "Gospel Hall, Calais, VT", 1940

1940s American Modern Landscape Paintings

Francis ChapinA Picturesque, 1940s American Scene Farm Landscape Painting by Francis Chapin, circa 1940

1930s Realist Landscape Paintings

George Sanders BickerstaffUntitled (Smoke Tree; Palm Springs Desert), c. 1940s, c. 1940 s

1940s Impressionist Interior Paintings

Leonard FullerHarrod s Dress Department Interior - British Impressionist art oil painting, Circa 1940

1940s American Modern Nude Paintings

Francis ChapinA Captivating 1940s Modern Painting of a Seated Female Nude by Francis Chapin, Crica 1940

1940s Blue Rider Landscape Paintings

1940s Signed German Impressionist Oil of Rio de Janeiro in Style of Max Slevogt, Circa 1930s

1940s Realist Figurative Paintings

Martha Tracy Frey She Loves Me, She Loves Me Not , Girl in a Gingham Dress, 1940 s, Folk Art, 1944

1940s Impressionist Landscape Paintings

Fred DargeFRED DARGE 1900-1978. TEXAS LANDSCAPE "AUTUMN" 1940s DARGE FRAME, 1940s

1940s Impressionist Landscape Paintings

Fred DargeFRED DARGE 1900-1978. TEXAS LANDSCAPE "FALL" 1940s DARGE FRAME, 1940s

1940s American Modern Landscape Paintings

Francis ChapinA Serene 1940s, Modern Western Landscape Painting with Horses by Francis Chapin, circa 1940

1940s Futurist Figurative Paintings

Marguerite Blasingame1940s Symbolist Figurative -- Her Holy Visions, c.1940s

1940s American Realist Still-life Paintings

Helen Clark Oldfield"Two Bottles" American Scene Realism Mid 20th Century Female Artist WPA 1940 s, 1943

1940s American Modern Figurative Paintings

Francis ChapinVery Large ca. 1940s Painting of a Female Rower Holding Oars by Francis Chapin, circa 1945

1940s Impressionist Landscape Paintings

Arthur SpoonerNottingham from Clifton Hall - British Impressionist 40s landscape oil painting, 1943

1940s American Modern Figurative Paintings

Francis ChapinA 1940s Painting of a Seated Female Nude in Summer Landscape, Ox-Bow School

1940s Realist Interior Paintings

Leonard John FullerWoolworths, Sutton, London - British figurative shop interior art oil painting, Circa 1940

1940s American Impressionist Figurative Paintings

Frederick YostSeated Nude Woman American Impressionist School 1940s by Fred Yost, 1940s

1940s Folk Art Landscape Paintings

Lura Eva Pursell1940s Small Foothill Town, 1940

1940s Abstract Impressionist Landscape Paintings

Marguerite Blasingame1940s Yorkshire, England Landscape of Whitby Abbey Ruins, c.1940s

1940s Impressionist Landscape Paintings

Henry T. Harvey1940s English Country Cottage Landscape, c.1940

1940s American Realist Figurative Paintings

Marion GilmoreBathers 1940s Mid 20th Century American Scene Social Realism WPA Modern Ashcan, 1940s

1940s American Impressionist Landscape Paintings

Oliver Glen Barrett1940s Sierra Mountain Landscape -- "Sierra Grandeur", Circa 1940

1940s Modern Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Portrait - Original Pastel Drawing - 1940s, 1940s

1940s American Modern Portrait Paintings

Francis ChapinAn Introspective, Modern 1940s Portrait of a Seated Young Ballet Dancer, Crica 1940

Early 20th Century Impressionist Landscape Paintings

Elizabeth Elsworth (Hewlett) WatkinsCalifornia Desert Landscape w/ Sand Verbena by Elizabeth Hewlett Watkins c.1940s, Circa 1940

1940s American Modern Landscape Paintings

Francis Chapin1940s Mexican City Scene by Famed Artist Francis Chapin, San Miguel de Allende, circa 1940

1940s American Impressionist Still-life Paintings

Marguerite Stuber Pearson1940s Floral Still Life -- Anemones Porcelain Statue, c.1940

1940s American Modern Figurative Paintings

Harold HaydonA Quirky 1940s Mid-Century Modern Still Life by Chicago Artist, Harold Haydon, circa 1945

1940s American Impressionist Landscape Paintings

John W. Wilcox Sherman Rocks - Mid Century Utah Desert Rock Formation Landscape, 1940s, 1947

1940s American Modern Landscape Paintings

Paul Kauver SmithColorado Hill Town with Storm Clouds, 1940s Modernist Landscape, Lush Green, circa 1940

Mid-20th Century Art Deco Portrait Paintings

Portrait of a Woman, 1940s-50s. Signed Vera d’Angara, Italian-Russian actress

1940s American Modern Still-life Paintings

Riverda Kapunas1940s Tromp L oeil Still Life Rose and Amaranth in Alcove, 1943

1940s American Modern Still-life Paintings

Flora Schofield1940s Still Life of Squash by Notable Chicago Modernist Artist Flora Schofield, ca. 1950s

1950s American Modern Figurative Paintings

Albert Heckman"Untitled" Albert Heckman, 1950s Modernist Abstracted Still Life Painting, Circa 1950

20th Century Figurative Sculptures

Mordechai Avniel1940s Israeli Modernist Oil Painting Marine Harbor Landscape Bezalel School

1940s American Modern Landscape Paintings

Mino Maccari
Castor Oil - Drawing by Mino Maccari - 1940s, 1940s

Howard Barron
Framed 1940s Portrait Painting Katherine Merry Director Horstmann Gear Company, 1946

Harold Haydon
A Pair of 1940s Diminutive Paintings of Vermont by Harold Haydon, 1945

Harold Haydon
A Charming, Modern 1940s Vermont Landscape Painting, "Gospel Hall, Calais, VT", 1940

Francis Chapin
A Picturesque, 1940s American Scene Farm Landscape Painting by Francis Chapin, circa 1940

George Sanders Bickerstaff
Untitled (Smoke Tree; Palm Springs Desert), c. 1940s, c. 1940 s

Leonard Fuller
Harrod s Dress Department Interior - British Impressionist art oil painting, Circa 1940

Francis Chapin
A Captivating 1940s Modern Painting of a Seated Female Nude by Francis Chapin, Crica 1940

Martha Tracy Frey
She Loves Me, She Loves Me Not , Girl in a Gingham Dress, 1940 s, Folk Art, 1944

Fred Darge
FRED DARGE 1900-1978. TEXAS LANDSCAPE "AUTUMN" 1940s DARGE FRAME, 1940s

Fred Darge
FRED DARGE 1900-1978. TEXAS LANDSCAPE "FALL" 1940s DARGE FRAME, 1940s

Francis Chapin
A Serene 1940s, Modern Western Landscape Painting with Horses by Francis Chapin, circa 1940

Marguerite Blasingame
1940s Symbolist Figurative -- Her Holy Visions, c.1940s

Helen Clark Oldfield
"Two Bottles" American Scene Realism Mid 20th Century Female Artist WPA 1940 s, 1943

Francis Chapin
Very Large ca. 1940s Painting of a Female Rower Holding Oars by Francis Chapin, circa 1945

Arthur Spooner
Nottingham from Clifton Hall - British Impressionist 40s landscape oil painting, 1943

Francis Chapin
A 1940s Painting of a Seated Female Nude in Summer Landscape, Ox-Bow School

Leonard John Fuller
Woolworths, Sutton, London - British figurative shop interior art oil painting, Circa 1940

Frederick Yost
Seated Nude Woman American Impressionist School 1940s by Fred Yost, 1940s

Lura Eva Pursell
1940s Small Foothill Town, 1940

Marguerite Blasingame
1940s Yorkshire, England Landscape of Whitby Abbey Ruins, c.1940s

Henry T. Harvey
1940s English Country Cottage Landscape, c.1940

Marion Gilmore
Bathers 1940s Mid 20th Century American Scene Social Realism WPA Modern Ashcan, 1940s

Oliver Glen Barrett
1940s Sierra Mountain Landscape -- "Sierra Grandeur", Circa 1940

Francis Chapin
An Introspective, Modern 1940s Portrait of a Seated Young Ballet Dancer, Crica 1940

Elizabeth Elsworth (Hewlett) Watkins
California Desert Landscape w/ Sand Verbena by Elizabeth Hewlett Watkins c.1940s, Circa 1940

Francis Chapin
1940s Mexican City Scene by Famed Artist Francis Chapin, San Miguel de Allende, circa 1940

Marguerite Stuber Pearson
1940s Floral Still Life -- Anemones Porcelain Statue, c.1940

Harold Haydon
A Quirky 1940s Mid-Century Modern Still Life by Chicago Artist, Harold Haydon, circa 1945

John W. Wilcox
Sherman Rocks - Mid Century Utah Desert Rock Formation Landscape, 1940s, 1947

Paul Kauver Smith
Colorado Hill Town with Storm Clouds, 1940s Modernist Landscape, Lush Green, circa 1940

Riverda Kapunas
1940s Tromp L oeil Still Life Rose and Amaranth in Alcove, 1943

Flora Schofield
1940s Still Life of Squash by Notable Chicago Modernist Artist Flora Schofield, ca. 1950s

Albert Heckman
"Untitled" Albert Heckman, 1950s Modernist Abstracted Still Life Painting, Circa 1950

Mordechai Avniel
1940s Israeli Modernist Oil Painting Marine Harbor Landscape Bezalel School

Eric Bransby
The Cliff, Abstract Colorado Landscape, 1940s American Modernist Pastel Drawing, 1997

Albert Heckman
"Woodstock Landscape" Albert Heckman, WPA, American Modernist, New York, circa 1940s

Albert Heckman
"Woodstock Landscape" Albert Heckman, WPA, Modernist, Farm, Barn, Rural Scene, circa 1940s

Albert Heckman
"Woodstock Landscape" Albert Heckman, Modernist, Rich Green Vegetation, WPA, circa 1940s

Albert Heckman
"Woodstock Landscape" Albert Heckman, American Modernist, Atmospheric Valley, circa 1940s

Albert Heckman
"Woodstock Landscape" Albert Heckman, American Modernist Bright Landscape, circa 1940s

Albert Heckman
"Woodstock Landscape" Albert Heckman, Modernist, Bright Landscape, circa 1940s

Albert Heckman
"Cubist Landscape" Albert Heckman, American Modernism, Woodstock, Earth Tones, circa 1940s

Albert Heckman
"Cluster of Houses near Woodstock" Albert Heckman, American Modernist Landscape, circa 1940s

Albert Heckman
"Cubist Landscape" Albert Heckman, American Modernist, Fractured Landscape, circa 1940s

Albert Heckman
"Untitled" Albert Heckman, Mid-Century American Modernist Abstract Composition, circa 1950

Albert Heckman
"Untitled" Albert Heckman, Still Life, Floral Abstracted Modernist Composition, circa 1950

Albert Heckman
"Untitled" Albert Heckman, Modernist Saturated Blue and Yellow Still Life, circa 1950

Albert Heckman
"Untitled" Albert Heckman, circa 1950 Modernist Colorful Still Life With Fruit, circa 1950

Antonio Pietro Martino
Antonio Martino, Gloucester, MA, Oil on Canvas, 1940 s, 1940 s

Yonia Fain
1940s Judaic Oil Painting "The Victim", 1947

Antonio Pietro Martino
Antonio Martino, Winter in New Hope, Oil on Canvas, 1940 s, 1940 s