How do I date a dark oil portrait?

Dating relies heavily on the sitter's costume, including hairstyles, collars, and doublets, which changed noticeably across decades. Stylistic clues in the brushwork and canvas preparation also help narrow the period. Examining the stretcher bars, nails, and any inscriptions on the reverse provides additional physical evidence to confirm the approximate age of the work.

Where should I hang a dark portrait?

These pieces require walls with moderate ambient light to prevent glare on the varnished surface while avoiding direct, harsh sunlight that damages pigments over time. Neutral or richly coloured walls provide a sympathetic background that complements the deep tones. Pairing the canvas with traditional room settings or library spaces enhances the historical atmosphere created by the heavy palette and sombre subject matter.

What does after an artist mean?

This attribution indicates that the painting is a later copy or interpretation of a well-known original work by a master painter. Such pieces were often created by students or subsequent artists studying historical portraiture. These works hold their own distinct place in art history, reflecting the enduring influence of prominent painters like Anthony van Dyck or Godfrey Kneller.

Home > Dark Oil Portrait Art > Page 18

Dark Oil Portrait Art

404 items · page 18 of 26

← Page 18 of 26 →

Dark oil portrait art gathers centuries of shadowed countenances and muted palettes, offering collectors a direct link to historical figures through enduring painted surfaces.

Portrait of a Gentleman C.1800; Attributed to John Opie.

19th century

Save

Portrait of a Gentleman C.1800; Attributed to John Opie.

From Roy Precious - Antiques & Fine Art

£7,950

3+ MONTHS AGO

art

Portrait of Sir Robert Anstruther C. 1694, Scottish School.

18th century

Save

Portrait of Sir Robert Anstruther C. 1694, Scottish School.

From Roy Precious - Antiques & Fine Art

£3,850

3+ MONTHS AGO

art

19th century

Save

"Gentleman in a Frock Coat" 19th Century Portrait - Oil Painting

From The Collector Antiques

£695

3+ MONTHS AGO

art

John Raphael Smith, 1752 - 1812
Self Portrait of John Raphael Smith 1752-1812 Aged 23

18th century

Save

John Raphael Smith, 1752 - 1812 Self Portrait of John Raphael Smith 1752-1812 Aged 23

From Artware Fineart

£3,500

3+ MONTHS AGO

art

John Michael Wright, 1617 – 1694
Portrait Richard Corbet, Ma, 1569- Barrister in Law

17th century

Save

John Michael Wright, 1617 – 1694 Portrait Richard Corbet, Ma, 1569- Barrister in Law

From Artware Fineart

£2,800

3+ MONTHS AGO

art

Thomas Hudson, 1701 - 1779
Portrait of Thomas Heath (1705-1759) Alderman and Merchant of Exeter

18th century

Save

Thomas Hudson, 1701 - 1779 Portrait of Thomas Heath (1705-1759) Alderman and Merchant of Exeter

From Artware Fineart

£3,000

3+ MONTHS AGO

art

Cuthbert Edmund Swan, 1870-1931
A Leopard with a Peacock in a Tree

19th century

Save

Cuthbert Edmund Swan, 1870-1931 A Leopard with a Peacock in a Tree

From Artware Fineart

£1,200

3+ MONTHS AGO

miscellaneous

John Phillip, 1817–1867
Portrait of a Victorian Gentleman

19th century

Save

John Phillip, 1817–1867 Portrait of a Victorian Gentleman

From Artware Fineart

£850

3+ MONTHS AGO

art

After Sir Thomas Lawrence , Pra, 1769–1830
Portrait of Master Charles William Lambton 'The Red Boy' (1818- 1831)

19th century

Save

After Sir Thomas Lawrence , Pra, 1769–1830 Portrait of Master Charles William Lambton 'The Red Boy' (1818- 1831)

From Artware Fineart

£1,000

3+ MONTHS AGO

art

Attributed to George Frederic Watts, 1817-1904
Portrait of General Sir William Francis Patrick Napier, K.c.b. 1751 - 1860

Oil on Canvas
50 X 40 In. (127 X 101 Cm.)

19th century

Save

Attributed to George Frederic Watts, 1817-1904 Portrait of General Sir William Francis Patrick Napier, K.c.b. 1751 - 1860 Oil on Canvas 50 X 40 In. (127 X 101 Cm.)

From Artware Fineart

£2,500

3+ MONTHS AGO

art

The listings on this site feature portraits executed on both woven canvas and solid wood panels, spanning several centuries of European artistic tradition.

George Dowdney, Active 1730 - 1750
Portrait of the Reverend Christopher Pitt 1699 - 1748

Oil on Canvas
30 X 25 In. (76 X 64 Cm.)

18th century

Save

George Dowdney, Active 1730 - 1750 Portrait of the Reverend Christopher Pitt 1699 - 1748 Oil on Canvas 30 X 25 In. (76 X 64 Cm.)

From Artware Fineart

£1,500

3+ MONTHS AGO

art

19th century

Save

English School 19th, Century old Martin Chuzzlewit oil on Canvas 76.20 X 60.96 Cm. (30 X 24 In.)

From Artware Fineart

£1,000

3+ MONTHS AGO

art

16th century

Save

Italian School, 16 Th Century portrait of a Milanese Nobleman in Armour milanese Nobleman in Armour oil on Canvas 110 X 85 Cm. (43.1/3 X 33.3/4 In.)

From Artware Fineart

£4,500

3+ MONTHS AGO

art

Portrait Oil Painting of a Gentleman, C1690, Circle of John Riley

17th century

Save

Portrait Oil Painting of a Gentleman, C1690, Circle of John Riley

From Benton Fine Art

£4,200

3+ MONTHS AGO

art

1814 Sir William Beechey Circle Oil Painting Robert 4th Earl of Buckinghamshire

19th century

Save

1814 Sir William Beechey Circle Oil Painting Robert 4th Earl of Buckinghamshire

From Royal House Antiques

£5,000

3+ MONTHS AGO

art

Edwardian Portrait of a Boy. Oil on Canvas.

1900 - 1920

Save

Edwardian Portrait of a Boy. Oil on Canvas.

From William Greenwood Fine Art

£890

3+ MONTHS AGO

art

← 1 ... 16 17 18 19 20 ... 26 →

Dark Oil Portrait Art

Portrait of a Gentleman C.1800; Attributed to John Opie.

Portrait of Sir Robert Anstruther C. 1694, Scottish School.

"Gentleman in a Frock Coat" 19th Century Portrait - Oil Painting

John Raphael Smith, 1752 - 1812 Self Portrait of John Raphael Smith 1752-1812 Aged 23

John Michael Wright, 1617 – 1694 Portrait Richard Corbet, Ma, 1569- Barrister in Law

Thomas Hudson, 1701 - 1779 Portrait of Thomas Heath (1705-1759) Alderman and Merchant of Exeter

Cuthbert Edmund Swan, 1870-1931 A Leopard with a Peacock in a Tree

John Phillip, 1817–1867 Portrait of a Victorian Gentleman

After Sir Thomas Lawrence , Pra, 1769–1830 Portrait of Master Charles William Lambton 'The Red Boy' (1818- 1831)

Attributed to George Frederic Watts, 1817-1904 Portrait of General Sir William Francis Patrick Napier, K.c.b. 1751 - 1860 Oil on Canvas 50 X 40 In. (127 X 101 Cm.)

George Dowdney, Active 1730 - 1750 Portrait of the Reverend Christopher Pitt 1699 - 1748 Oil on Canvas 30 X 25 In. (76 X 64 Cm.)

English School 19th, Century old Martin Chuzzlewit oil on Canvas 76.20 X 60.96 Cm. (30 X 24 In.)

Italian School, 16 Th Century portrait of a Milanese Nobleman in Armour milanese Nobleman in Armour oil on Canvas 110 X 85 Cm. (43.1/3 X 33.3/4 In.)

Portrait Oil Painting of a Gentleman, C1690, Circle of John Riley

1814 Sir William Beechey Circle Oil Painting Robert 4th Earl of Buckinghamshire

Edwardian Portrait of a Boy. Oil on Canvas.

Add keywords to the filter

Price

Era

Period

Style

Material

Origin

Stock Location

Recently Added

Online Payments

Categories