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.
Osmar Schindler (German, 1867-1927) : Portrait of a Man, signed pastel on card
Watercolour Painting (20th Century) : Portrait of Lady Jane Erskine,
After Sir Samuel Luke Fildes : RA-Jessica , Oil On Canvas Laid On Board
Attributed To Frederick Cruickshank : Portrait Of A Lady , Pencil And Watercolor
Attributed To Frederick Cruickshank : Portrait Of A Lady ,Pencil And Watercolor
Attributed Ernest Gustave Girardot Portrait Gentleman Oil on Canvas 19th C.
Irish School (mid 19TH Cen-ry) : Portrait Of A Young Lady, Oil On Canvas ,Framed
18th/19th C Portrait Lady, Jean-Baptiste Greuze Inscribed, Oil on Canvas
Winifred de Vany Portrait of a Lady in Blue Oil on Canvas Signed Framed 1960s
19th C English Provincial Oil Portrait Gentleman Seated Interior Framed
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.