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French Abstract portrait study from the 1940 s
By Alain Mettais Cartier
Located in Woodbury, CT
Cartier was a French Abstract painter from the 1940-50 period. He painted Landscapes, Portraits and
Category

1940s Abstract Portrait Paintings

Materials

Oil

1940 s LARGE Monogrammed Cubist Modern Woman with Cat
Located in New York, NY
Monogrammed Cubist Painting of a Woman With a Cat Oil on Masonite 33 x 49 inches 40 x 55 inches
Category

1940s Cubist Abstract Paintings

Materials

Oil

Portrait of Woman and Still Life - Original Oil on Canvas by G. Peyron - 1940s
By Guido Peyron
Located in Roma, IT
Portrait of Woman is an original Oil on Canvas realized by the italian artist Guido Peyron (1898
Category

1940s Modern Figurative Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Alberto Salietti Oil On Canvas 1940s 1950s, Female Portrait
By Alberto Salietti
Located in Milan, IT
Oil on canvas. Signed bottom right. Portrait of a young woman in a black evening gown, enlivened by
Category

1950s Other Art Style Portrait Paintings

Materials

Oil

Vintage landscape oil painting of haystacks
Located in AIGNAN, FR
THIS PAINTING: Medium: Oil on wood board Overall size: 13ins x 10.5ins or 33cms x 27cms Date: 1940's
Category

1930s Post-Impressionist Landscape Paintings

Materials

Oil

PINK FISH WPA Abstract Muralist 1940s modern oil American Scene mid-century
By John Deforest Stull
Located in New York, NY
PINK FISH WPA Abstract Muralist 1940s modern oil American Scene mid-century De Forest Stull was a
Category

1940s American Modern Abstract Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

1940s Downtown Cinema
By Marian Miller
Located in Soquel, CA
Naive figural abstract of 1940s California Central Valley downtown scene titled "Cinema"
Category

1940s Landscape Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Still Life with Citrons - 1940s - Bruno Croatto - Painting - Modern
By Bruno Croatto
Located in Roma, IT
Hand signed and dated on top right, in excellent conditions. Includes contemporary gilded frame, dimensions: 68.5x79x3.3 cm. This artwork is shipped from Italy. Under existing legis...
Category

1940s Modern Still-life Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Jerusalem Landscape 1940s
By David Zak
Located in Surfside, FL
Palestine in the 1920's settle in Jerusalem. His work has been shown all around the world. He is best known
Category

1940s Modern Landscape Paintings

Materials

Oil Pastel

Christian Von Schneidau "The White Parka, Alaska" Original Oil Painting C.1961
By Christian von Schneidau
Located in San Francisco, CA
Christian Von Schneidau "The White Parka, Alaska" Original Oil Painting C.1940s Canvas dimensions
Category

Mid-20th Century Impressionist Portrait Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Mid Century Modern British PORTRAIT Of A Lady ORIGINAL OIL PAINTING c.1940
Located in Cirencester, GB
wear, historical repair PRICE: £570 DETAIL: Beautiful circa 1940s original oil painting on Windsor
Category

1940s Post-War Portrait Paintings

Materials

Oil

"PATH THROUGH THE BLUE" BLUEBONNET TEXAS HILL COUNTRY IMAGE: 23 X 31 CIRCA 1940S
By Robert William Wood
Located in San Antonio, TX
considerably different than those from the 1930s and 1940s. In the 1960's, Robert Wood's found great success
Category

1940s Impressionist Landscape Paintings

Materials

Oil

"BLUEBONNET HILLS" IMAGE: 16 X 20 FRAME: 24 X 28 CIRCA 1940S
Located in San Antonio, TX
from 1924 and 1940 Robert Wood also signed his paintings G. Day (Good Day) and Trebor (Robert backwards
Category

1940s Impressionist Landscape Paintings

Materials

Oil

"CATTLE DRIVE" WESTERN TEXAS EL PASO ARTIST COWBOYS CANYON ROUNDUP 1940s HORSES
Located in San Antonio, TX
: Oil "Cattle Drive" Biography E.L. Boone Elmer Boone (1883 - 1952) Elmer L. Boone, a painter of
Category

1940s Realist Landscape Paintings

Materials

Oil

Sitting at Table with Tea circa 1940s-1950s
Located in San Francisco, CA
Oil on canvas Figurative painting Sitting at table with tea circa 1940s – 1950s 26 x 31.5 framed
Category

Mid-20th Century Figurative Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Original 1940s Colorado Mountain Landscape - Modernist Art with Trees Mountain
By John Edward Thompson
Located in Denver, CO
This vintage 1940s modernist landscape painting, titled Mountain Landscape (Cheyenne Mountain
Category

1940s American Modern Landscape Paintings

Materials

Oil

"Abstract" Incredible 1940s Abstract painted by student of Raymond Jonson
By Christina Kercheville
Located in San Antonio, TX
Regionally In Several One-Woman Art Shows. She Also Taught Painting Classes. S Studied: University Of South
Category

1940s Abstract Abstract Paintings

Materials

Oil

GLACIER PARK 1940s WPA Mid-Century Realism to Abstraction American Modernism
By Vincent Campanella 1
Located in New York, NY
Vincent Campanella oil painting from the late 1940s that teeters on the edge of realism and abstraction
Category

1940s American Modern Landscape Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Vintage French Still Life Roses with Chinoiserie Oriental Bird Fabric Signed Oil
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Still Life French School, mid 20th century by Reyne Marin de Pyerne (c. 1940's-1950's) signed oil
Category

Mid-20th Century Impressionist Still-life Paintings

Materials

Oil

1940s Israeli Modernist Oil Painting Marine Harbor Landscape Bezalel School
By Mordechai Avniel
Located in Surfside, FL
to Jerusalem to further his art studies at Bezalel. He later taught painting and sculpture at the
Category

20th Century Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Untitled (Colorado Springs, Colorado), Mountain Landscape, Cityscape
By Zola Zaugg
Located in Denver, CO
An original 1940s modernist/regionalist oil painting by Colorado woman artist, Zola Zaugg over
Category

1940s American Impressionist Landscape Paintings

Materials

Masonite, Oil

"Glasco Landscape" Albert Heckman, circa 1940 New York Modernist Landscape
By Albert Heckman
Located in New York, NY
1930s and early 1940s. Heckman's oil painting, "Eddyville, New York," was displayed in the Carnegie
Category

1940s American Modern Figurative Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

"Untitled" Albert Heckman, Floral Modernist Saturated Abstracted Still Life
By Albert Heckman
Located in New York, NY
had been his primary mediums, to oils and watercolors in the late 1930s and early 1940s. Heckman's oil
Category

1950s Abstract Abstract Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Flower Seller
Located in Douglas Manor, NY
#5-2777 Circa 1940's, Italian classical oil painting on artist board depicting a woman selling
Category

1940s Figurative Paintings

1940s Oil Painting Portrait of Two Figures, American Modernist Figurative
By Angelo Di Benedetto
Located in Denver, CO
Oil on canvas signed by artist Angelo Di Benedetto (1913-1992) featuring two young figures reading
Category

1940s American Modern Portrait Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Landscape - Oil on Board by 20th Century Master - Mid 20th Century
Located in Roma, IT
Landscape is a colored painting realized in the 1940s. Oil painting on board. The artwork
Category

Mid-20th Century Modern Figurative Paintings

Materials

Oil, Board

The Matterhorn Switzerland 1940 s Original Oil Painting Signed Dated 1946
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
The Matterhorn Swiss artist, indistinctly signed dated 1946 oil on board, framed framed: 22.5 x
Category

Mid-20th Century Impressionist Landscape Paintings

Materials

Oil

Large 1940 s French Post Impressionist Signed Oil Painting Still Life Flowers
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Still Life of Flowers French artist, Post Impressionist signed oil on canvas, framed in original
Category

Mid-20th Century Post-Impressionist Still-life Paintings

Materials

Oil, Canvas

1940 s Vintage French Flower Painting Still Life Roses in Vase, signed
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Artist/ School: French School, signed and dated 1940's Title: Still Life of Roses in a Vase
Category

20th Century Impressionist Still-life Paintings

Materials

Oil

Smooth Fox Terrier 1940 s English Oil Painting
By Dorothy Alexandra Johnson
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
lower right oil painting on canvas, unstretched 5.5 x 7.5 inches, the card it is affixed to measures
Category

1940s Impressionist Animal Paintings

Materials

Oil

Figurative 1940 s Polish/American Cubist Abstract oil painting
By Elizabeth Ronget
Located in New York, NY
Elizabeth Ronget 1940's Cubist Abstract Figurative oil painting. Oil on Canvas measures 23x17
Category

Mid-20th Century Abstract Expressionist Abstract Paintings

Materials

Oil

Old Farm Stone Buildings Rural 1940 s French Oil Painting
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Vintage French Oil Painting by Louise Alix (French, 1888-1980) *see notes below provenance stamp
Category

Mid-20th Century Impressionist Landscape Paintings

Materials

Oil

1940 s French Impressionist Oil Painting Purple Green Landscape View
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
the back oil painting on board, unframed measures: 5.5 high by 7 inches wide condition: overall very
Category

Mid-20th Century Impressionist Landscape Paintings

Materials

Oil

1940 s French Rural Pastoral Landscape with Fields Impressionist Oil Painting
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
oil painting on board, unsigned, unframed measures: 6.25 high by 6.75 inches wide condition: overall
Category

Mid-20th Century Impressionist Landscape Paintings

Materials

Oil

Original Oil Painting of Cheerful Yellow Roses by Nell Walker Warner
By Nell Walker Warner
Located in Soquel, CA
1940's Original Oil Painting of Cheerful Yellow Roses by Nell Walker Warner Antony Anderson, art
Category

1940s American Impressionist Still-life Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil, Illustration Board

Flowering Cactus in Garden 1940 s French Impressionist Oil Painting
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
by Louise Alix (French, 1888-1980) *see notes below provenance stamp to the back oil painting on
Category

Mid-20th Century Impressionist Still-life Paintings

Materials

Oil

Antique Landscape Oil Painting Capri Sea View 1940 s
Located in Douglas Manor, NY
5121 Antique Impressionist oil painting Capri sea view Framed Image size 11.5x16.5"
Category

1950s Landscape Paintings

Materials

Oil

Terracotta Garden Pots in Artists Back Garden 1940 s French Oil Painting
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Garden Pots by Louise Alix (French, 1888-1980) *see notes below provenance stamp to the back oil
Category

Mid-20th Century Impressionist Landscape Paintings

Materials

Oil

Old French Farm Cottages in Landscape 1940 s French Impressionist Oil Painting
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Farm Cottages by Louise Alix (French, 1888-1980) *see notes below provenance stamp to the back oil
Category

Mid-20th Century Impressionist Landscape Paintings

Materials

Oil

1940 s French Post Impressionist Oil Painting Ice Bergs Floating in Sea
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Ice Bergs by Louise Alix (French, 1888-1980) *see notes below provenance stamp to the back oil
Category

Mid-20th Century Impressionist Landscape Paintings

Materials

Oil

1940 s French Oil Painting Portrait of Man in Beret Neckerchief Tie
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Portrait of a Man in Beret by Louise Alix (French, 1888-1980) *see notes below oil painting on
Category

Mid-20th Century Impressionist Portrait Paintings

Materials

Oil

1940 s Portrait of Cairn Terrier Dog Oil Painting Fine British Oil Painting
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
titled to the lower corner oil painting on wood panel: 14 x 18 inches framed condition: very good and
Category

Mid-20th Century Realist Animal Paintings

Materials

Oil, Wood Panel

Antique Italian Impressionist Amalfi Coastline Oil Painting Circa 1940 s
Located in Douglas Manor, NY
3766 Italian oil painting coastline painting Set in a hand carved wood frame Image size 7.5x9.5"
Category

1940s Landscape Paintings

Materials

Oil

1940 s French Oil Painting Portrait of a Man in Brown Jacket Tie
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Portrait of Man in Brown Jacket & Tie by Roger Allain (French 1920-1992) oil on canvas, unframed
Category

Mid-20th Century Modern Portrait Paintings

Materials

Oil, Canvas

1940 s Scottish Rocky Coastal Pathway Impressionist Oil Landscape Painting
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
good condition, with only minor signs of handling or aging. This captivating oil painting depicts a
Category

Mid-20th Century Impressionist Landscape Paintings

Materials

Oil

Pont Neuf Bridge River Seine Paris, Very large 1940 s Signed French Oil Painting
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Artist/ School: French School, signed and dated 1940's Title: Le Pont Neuf, Paris Medium: signed
Category

Mid-20th Century Impressionist Landscape Paintings

Materials

Oil

Roses in Glass Vase Interior Scene 1940 s French Impressionist Oil Painting
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
signed oil painting on canvas stuck on board, unframed measures: 16.5 high by 13 inches wide condition
Category

Mid-20th Century Impressionist Still-life Paintings

Materials

Oil

1940 s French Post Impressionist Oil Painting Mediterranean Village Street View
By Josine Vignon
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
The Sleepy Town by Josine Vignon (French 1922-2022) oil painting on artist paper, unframed stamped
Category

Mid-20th Century Post-Impressionist Landscape Paintings

Materials

Oil

1940 s French Impressionist Oil Painting Vintage Still Life of Roses Glass Vase
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Vintage French Oil Painting by Louise Alix (French, 1888-1980) *see notes below signed to the front
Category

Mid-20th Century Impressionist Still-life Paintings

Materials

Oil

1940 s Original British Oil Painting Cavalry Musketeers on Horseback Tavern
By Frank Moss Bennett
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Stopping for Directions by Frank Moss Bennett (1874-1953) signed dated 1947 oil on board, framed
Category

Mid-20th Century Victorian Figurative Paintings

Materials

Oil

Fine Large 1940 s French Post Impressionist Oil Painting Old Chateau Provence
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
The Old Chateau, Provence by Paul Bret, (French, 1902-1956) signed and dated 1948 oil on canvas
Category

Mid-20th Century Impressionist Landscape Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

1940 s French Impressionist Oil Far Reaching Green Field Landscape
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Landscape by Louise Alix (French, 1888-1980) *see notes below provenance stamp to the back oil
Category

Mid-20th Century Impressionist Landscape Paintings

Materials

Oil

1940 s French Impressionist Oil Painting Apples In Basket On Garden Terrace
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Apples In Basket by Louise Alix, French 1950's Impressionist oil on board ( bent board) painting
Category

Mid-20th Century Impressionist Interior Paintings

Materials

Oil

1940 s French Cubist Abstract Oil Painting Still Life Kitchen Interior Scene
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Picasso & Braque. Medium: oil on canvas, in wooden studio surround frame. Size: framed: 23 x 28.5
Category

Mid-20th Century Cubist Abstract Paintings

Materials

Oil

1940 s French Oil Painting Portrait of Man Smoking Cigarette Self Portrait
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Self Portrait of the Artist by Jean Dulac (1902-1968) *see below dated verso and titled oil
Category

Mid-20th Century Post-Impressionist Portrait Paintings

Materials

Oil

1940 s French Impressionist Signed Large Oil - Tuileries Garden Louvre Paris
By G. Raoul
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
exhibited at the Salon in Paris in 1949 (stamped verso). Medium: oil painting on canvas, framed Size
Category

Mid-20th Century Impressionist Landscape Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

1940 s French Atmospheric Green Landscape with Church Spire Original Oil
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
back oil painting on board, unframed measures: 7.5 high by 9.5 inches wide condition: overall very
Category

Mid-20th Century Impressionist Landscape Paintings

Materials

Oil

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1940s Oil Paintings For Sale on 1stDibs

Find a variety of 1940s oil paintings available on 1stDibs. Browse a selection of Impressionist, Modern or Expressionist versions of these works for sale today — there are 471 Impressionist, 414 Modern, 144 Post-Impressionist, 137 Abstract and 59 Expressionist examples available. These items have long been popular, with older editions for sale from the 20th Century and newer versions made as recently as the 21st Century. You can search the 1940s oil paintings that we have for sale on 1stDibs by color — popular works were created in bold and neutral palettes with elements of brown, gray, black and blue. These artworks have been a part of the life’s work for many artists, but the versions made by Nahum Tschacbasov, Marguerite Blasingame, Ron Blumberg, Claude Benard and Gershon Benjamin are consistently popular. Each of these unique pieces was handmade with extraordinary care, with artists most often working in paint, oil paint and fabric. If space is limited, there are small 1940s oil paintings measuring 0.1 across, while our inventory also includes pieces up to 1950 inches across to better suit those in the market for large iterations.

How Much are 1940s Oil Paintings?

The average selling price for 1940s oil paintings we offer is $2,542, while they’re typically $195 on the low end and $4,290,000 for the highest priced.

Finding the Right Paintings for You

Painting is an art form that has spanned innumerable cultures, with artists using the medium to tell stories, explore and communicate ideas and express themselves. To bring abstract paintings, landscape paintings, still-life paintings and other original paintings into your home is to celebrate and share in the long tradition of this discipline.

When we look at paintings, particularly those that originated in the past, we learn about history, other cultures and countries of the world. Like every other work of art, paintings — whether they are contemporary creations or works that were made during the 19th century — can often help us clearly see and understand the world around us in a meaningful and interesting way.

Cave walls were the canvases for what were arguably the world’s first landscape paintings, which depict natural scenery through art. Portrait paintings and drawings, which, along with sculpture, were how someone’s appearance was recorded prior to the advent of photography, are at least as old as Ancient Egypt. In the Netherlands, landscapes were a major theme for painters as early as the 1500s. Later, artists in Greece, Rome and elsewhere created vast wall paintings to decorate stately homes, churches and tombs.

Today, creating a wall of art is a wonderful way to enhance your space, showcase beautiful pieces and tie an interior design together.

No matter your preference, whether you favor Post-Impressionist paintings, animal paintings, Surrealism, Pop art or another movement or specific period, arranging art on a blank wall allows you to evoke emotions in a room while also showing off your tastes and interests. A symmetrical wall arrangement may comprise a grid of four to six pieces or, for an odd number of works, a horizontal row. Asymmetrical arrangements, which may be small clusters of art or large, salon-style gallery walls, have a more collected and eclectic feel.

Download the 1stDibs app, which includes a handy “View on Wall” feature that allows you to see how a particular artwork will look on a particular wall, and read about how to arrange wall art. And if you’re searching for the perfect palette for your interior design project, what better place to turn than to the art world’s masters of color

On 1stDibs, you’ll find an expansive collection of paintings and other fine art for your home or office. Browse abstract paintings, portrait paintings, paintings by emerging artists and more today.

Questions About 1940s Oil Paintings
  • 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021
    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.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    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.
  • 1stDibs ExpertOctober 5, 2021
    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.
  • Lilac Gallery Ltd.March 17, 2021
    An abstract oil painting and an artwork that is made with oil paint on a medium like canvas, wood board, or other panels like canvas board. And the 'abstract' term refers to the Movement Style of the piece. As abstraction indicates a departure from reality in the depiction of imagery in art, the artist creates a painting where the subject, shape, form, color, and line, is created with no particular references of the world but as a composition that may exist with a degree of independence from its vision.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2024
    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.
  • 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2024
    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.
  • 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 27, 2024
    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.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMay 3, 2024
    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.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMay 3, 2024
    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.
  • 1stDibs ExpertAugust 20, 2024
    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.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2024
    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.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    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.
  • 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2023
    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.
  • La ChrysomeleFebruary 24, 2021
    Any artwork is worth and only worth the price someone is willing to pay for it (unfortunately, whether one can afford it or not is another story). Different people may have different reasons to attribute value to an artwork, from the purest (falling in love with it) to what is often considered as the most vile (speculation), going through remembrance, pride of ownership, or brag, among other reasons. For most living artists, the price of the artworks is usually set by the artist and/or the gallery which represent him or her, by type and size of artwork, and corresponds to an equilibrium price between the rate at which artworks are sold and the rate at which new artworks are produced by the artist. For artworks from dead artists sold by professional dealers, the price is often based on auctions results for similar pieces of the same artists. Oil paintings are usually pricier than other techniques because it is considered more difficult to master, but also because oil paintings are known for their ability to last centuries.
  • 1stDibs ExpertSeptember 25, 2019

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

  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    The best place to find oil paintings and discover new artists is at local art galleries. There are also many online art dealers who provide information about artists and sell their works. On 1stDibs, you’ll discover a variety of art styles from master oil painters.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    To find the artist of an oil painting, look on the back of the canvas. Sometimes, you will find the artist’s name and the year of production on the back. If the canvas is in a frame, gently peel away the paper covering the back to access the canvas. In the event you cannot find any identifying information, seek the help of a licensed art appraiser. Shop a selection of oil paintings on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2024
    Yes, sunlight affects oil paintings. Keep your oil paintings away from direct sunlight.

    To maintain oil paintings that you purchased for your home, experts suggest that you keep them out of 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.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    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.
  • 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021
    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.

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