Questions & Answers
Our trusted network of 1stDibs sellers answer common questions
When was oil paint invented?
1 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.
1stDibs ExpertFebruary 27, 2024
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Shop for Oil Paintings on 1stDibs
Colors of Tuscany, Oil Painting
By Lisa Elley
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
A charming house nestles in the rolling hills of Tuscany. Colorful flowers bloom in the foreground while a lush vineyard stretches out in the background. The th...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Materials
Oil
'Threesome' - 1960s Vintage Mountain Landscape Painting, Deer in Yellowstone
Located in Denver, CO
Original vintage 1960s landscape painting with deer grazing in a meadow in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming by Harold Skene (1883-1978). Golden Aspen Trees in autumn foliage with p...
Category
1960s American Modern Animal Paintings
Materials
Oil, Board
Anatomy Lesson No. 77 (Figurative Painting, Man on Green by Robert Goldstrom)
Located in Hudson, NY
Anatomy Lesson, No. 77, 2024 (modern oil painting of a nude male figure against a green background)
oil on linen
12 x 12 inches
13 x 13 inches with a black floater frame
wire backing...
Category
2010s Contemporary Figurative Paintings
Materials
Oil, Canvas
Red Houses No. 1, Norway by Calo Carratala - Snowy landscape painting
Located in Paris, FR
Red Houses No. 1 is a unique oil on laminated wood painting from the Norway series by Spanish contemporary artist Calo Carratalá, dimensions are 46 × 74 cm (18.1 × 29.1 in).
The art...
Category
2010s Contemporary Landscape Paintings
Materials
Oil, Wood Panel
1951 Monhegan, Maine MUSHROOMS painting by Morris Shulman ex. Rehn Gallery
Located in Exton, PA
Wild period abstract expressionist painting by Morris Shulman. The painting is egg tempera on Masonite measuring 32" x 22". Signed M Shulman and dated '51 at the lower right. Titled...
Category
1950s Modern Landscape Paintings
Materials
Oil
18th century portrait of sisters Lady Catherine and lady Jane Brydges
By James Maubert
Located in Bath, Somerset
This large double portrait depicts the sisters Lady Catherine and Lady Jane Brydges, the daughters of John Brydges, the Marquess of Carnarvon (1703-1727). They are seated on a stone...
Category
Early 18th Century Old Masters Portrait Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil