Portraits
Antique and vintage portrait paintings capture the people of the past with a directness no photograph matches. Our collection ranges from formal society portraits and character studies to intimate figure works, painted in oil and watercolour by British and European artists from the 18th to the 20th century.
19th Century Follower of David Wilkie Gentleman Portrait Oil Painting Framed
19th Century Oil on Canvas Portrait of a Lady Holding Box Gilt Frame
Contemporary Oil Painting Framed Wall Art Woman Playing Violin Portrait Gold
Late 18th C Dutch School Oval Oil Painting Portrait Gentleman Gilt Ribbon Frame
Charles Goldsborough Anderson Portrait Lady Oil Painting Signed British c1895
English School (19th C.) : Portrait of a Reverend/Canon in Attire, oil on board
Antique painting (19th-20th Century) : Portrait of a Young Woman, oil on board
Portraiture was frequently unsigned, so many fine examples are catalogued by school and period rather than by name — which is exactly where discerning collectors find quality at accessible prices. Each portrait is described with its medium, dimensions, period and condition, and many retain characterful original frames.
What you’ll find here
- Society portraits, character studies and figure paintings
- Oil and watercolour, 18th–20th century, British and European
- Named artists alongside works catalogued by school and period
- Original period frames on many pieces
Learn how portraits are attributed in Reading the Signature, see how to tell an original from a reproduction, or meet the artists behind the collection.