Art and painting

Subcategories

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  Antique painting

  Antique painting raises passions among all kinds of public. . Great art galleries such as the Prado Museum or the Louvre count their visitors by the millions, eager to admire in person the excellence of paintings such as 'Las Meninas'by Velázquez, or 'La Gioconda'by Leonardo da Vinci. And of course, we cannot obviate the enormous value that these works reach at auctions... It is precisely these two qualities, the beauty of the works and their material value, that have given a strong impulse to the collecting of antique paintings during recent times.

  Where to get pieces of antique paintings?

  Finding antique paintings for sale is not complicated, but verifying their authenticity or appraising their value can be. Precisely for this reason, it is very important to always purchase pieces from reliable auction houses, stores or dealers that guarantee their quality. Among the antique art for sale that can be found available today, paintings made between the 15th to 19th centuries are objects of desire for many collectors. . And yet their styles are totally disparate: the evolution between the earliest and the latest is spectacular, although this in no way diminishes the quality and beauty of Romanesque and Gothic art.

  What are the defining characteristics of the different periods of antique painting?

  Works made between the 16th and 18th centuries are known as "high period painting". Many of the antique paintings for sale that can be found today, especially of religious subject matter, were made in these centuries. A large number of works from the 17th and 18th centuries can be found, with those from the 16th century being rarer and more sought-after. The antique paintings for sale are usually inscribed in what are known as "schools": pictorial trends that reflect the styles followed by the painters of each country. The best known are the Italian school, the Spanish school and the Dutch school.

  In general, there are a number of characteristics that can give us clues as to the period to which an antique painting belongs:

  • 15th century. At this time the style known as flamboyant Gothic takes off in Spain, by figures such as Pedro Berruguete or Gil de Siloé. The perspective begins to appear; The works are usually of religious themes and show magnificent use of color. In Italy the art of Fra Angelico stands out, who will be the precursor of the Florentine Renaissance.

  • Sixteenth century It is a dazzling period in European painting. Figures such as Leonardo, Michelangelo or Raphael emerge, all of them in Italy. In Spain, during the second half of the century the figure of El Greco, one of the most talented painters of all time, stands out. The perspective improves, and both figures and landscapes or interiors gain in realism and detail.

  • 17th century. During this century, Baroque painting reached its maximum expression. In Spain, great masters such as Diego de Velázquez and Zurbarán emerged, while in Europe enormous figures such as Rembrandt, Rubens and Caravaggio emerged. Painting was committed to theatricality and theatricality, with powerful contrasts of light and shadow, faces with intense expressions and bodies that curved in complex postures. At this time, the line begins to gain freedom and anticipates modernity.

  • Eighteenth century. With the Enlightenment, European painting recovers repose and serenity. Still some Baroque legacies are maintained, such as the use of light and freedom of composition. In Spain, the work of Francisco de Goya stands out, a true ahead of his time: his paintings reflect a convulsive era and prefigure the expressionism of the twentieth century. It is the century of Rococo, exemplified by Fragonard and Watteau in France, and of the first social painting, with the English painter Hogarth as the greatest exponent.

  • Nineteenth Century. This century marks a radical change in all areas. The Industrial Revolution arrives and technical advances are spectacular. Art echoes the new times in works such as those of William Turner, precursor of impressionist and abstract painting of the twentieth century. Naturalistic painting reflects social problems; for the first time, classical themes (mythology and religion) are abandoned to focus on everyday life, politics and events. This is evident in the work of artists such as Eugene Dèlacroix and Theodore Gericault. During the second half of the century, movements such as Romanticism or Pre-Raphaelism will anticipate the avant-garde.

  It is clear: investing in antique paintings and getting started in the collecting of these works is an excellent decision. We invite you to discover our offer of antique art for sale, the best selection of authentic works from all periods. The perfect place to find those treasures that add so much value to any collection.

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  Contemporary Painting

  Contemporary painting offers an enormous range of options for collectors and art lovers. The term "contemporary" refers to that which happens or belongs to the present moment. However, when we speak of contemporary art, it is customary to also include works created from the beginning of the 20th century to the present. In fact, the terms "contemporary painting" and "modern painting" are often interchanged.
  
  What are we talking about when we talk about contemporary painting?
  
  Although the official definition of the Contemporary Age covers the years between the French Revolution and the present day, in the artistic field we could encompass this period between the beginning of the 20th century and the present time. In 1910, Wassily Kandinsky paints 'Erstes abstractkes Aquarell' ('First abstract watercolor'), considered the first abstract painting in history. It may be a good time to mark the beginning of modernity in art, although previously there were artists who made works that could be described as modern, and even abstract.
  
  Therefore, if we are looking for contemporary paintings for sale, we will usually find many works to choose from. In general, no particular style has more value than others: abstraction, expressionism, surrealism or hyperrealism, to mention only four of the most relevant, have works of very high value that have reached exorbitant prices at auctions. For this reason, one of the most important keys when buying modern art is to acquire works that we find attractive. That we like. Because collecting art is not only an investment: it is also a passion. Many of the best collectors, those who own some of the best works of art in the world, are also experts in certain styles or schools.
  
  What types of contemporary paintings for sale can we find?
  
  In general, modern art for sale (and art in general) can be grouped into two broad categories: original work and reproductions. Original works fetch a higher value on the market, especially if they are by well-known and sought-after artists. Reproductions can be of antique or contemporary works, but in this case we are talking about those made from the 1950s onwards. Some are pieces of enormous plastic and aesthetic value, made by accomplished artists who know how to capture like no one else the essence and talent of the great masters.
  
  Within the original works, in the case of modern painting it is difficult to establish a chronology. Abstract paintings coexist with realistic and figurative works, depending on the trend followed by each artist. For this reason, it is normal to classify this art by schools. The 20th century has seen the development of such important schools as Fauvism, Expressionism, Dada, Surrealism, Metaphysical painting, Futurism, Cubism or Constructivism, without forgetting styles such as Art Deco, Pop, Abstract Expressionism or Hyperrealism. Throughout the decades, many of these styles have coexisted; and there have always been artists who have followed their own path without belonging to any school. This is the case, for example, of figures such as Amedeo Modigliani, Egon Schiele or Alice Neel.
  
  Collecting modern art is a practice full of interest, as well as an excellent investment for the future. No mass-produced print can compare with a work created and signed by a talented artist: these are very special pieces, which will enhance spaces and stand out for their unique quality.
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  Antique Engravings

  Antique prints are works of enormous quality and value, perfect for beginning art collectors. Unlike oil paintings or bronze sculptures, to give two examples, prints are usually more affordable and are also easier to use as part of the decoration. But not all engravings are the same: there are many different techniques, used over the centuries, which give a very special imprint to the works made with them.
  
  Normally, the names of these techniques come from the material with which the plates are made or from the process or products used to make them. The most common are as follows:
  
  - Etching. The name of this technique comes from the popular term used to designate nitric acid, the chemical agent used to abrade the etching plate. The procedure arose in the 15th century in Europe, coinciding in two countries: Germany and Italy. During this century, it was not a technique widely used by artists; however, it is known that masters such as Albrecht Dürer or Lucas Van Der Leyden made etchings with iron and copper plates, respectively. The technique consists of applying an acid-resistant varnish on a metal plate and then tracing the drawing with a punch, scraping off the varnish to expose the metal. When the plate is dipped in acid, it corrodes only the exposed parts, leaving the drawing engraved on the plate. Then, it only remains to apply the ink and press the plate on the paper.
  
  - Lithography. This technique consists of engraving plates on stone and then printing the drawings on paper. It derives from the Greek term "litos", stone. Its origin is later than that of etching; it is believed to have been discovered by the German printer Alois Senefelder in 1796. Lithography has been used by great artists, both antique and contemporary: we can mention names such as Francisco de Goya or Pablo Picasso, without going any further. There is a variant, called chromolithography, which allows to obtain different colors on the same work through successive prints.
  
  - Xylography. Many antique and modern engravings have been made using the woodcut technique. Its name comes from the Greek word "xilos", wood, and refers to prints made by pressing an engraved and inked wooden plate onto paper. It is a technique that combines carving and engraving, since the plates are engraved by hand using gouges and chisels to hollow out the drawing to be reproduced. The woodcut was widely used by great artists such as Albrecht Dürer or the Japanese engravers of the Ukiyo-e school. The German expressionists of the early twentieth century, with Ernst Ludwig Kirchner at the head, recovered this then forgotten technique to disseminate their works.
  
  - Photoengraving. This curious technique combines two artistic disciplines: engraving and photography. The process begins with the realization of a photograph, then impregnate a metal plate with a layer of a photosensitive and soluble in alcoholic solvent. The negative of the photograph is then placed in front of the plate and light is projected onto it; the light acts on the photosensitive product, removing the layer in zones. Finally, the plate is immersed in an acid solution that corrodes the areas "cleaned" by the light. We could say that it is a combination of the etching technique and the photographic process: an ingenious method for reproducing photographs. This technique, developed in 1820 by Joseph Nicéphore Niépce, has made it possible to preserve magnificent antique engravings of spectacular realism. A similar process was invented in 1856 by Louis Alphonse Poitevin and improved by Joseph Albert, known as phototypesetting.
  
  There are many other techniques that have been used over the centuries to make antique engravings: aquatint, linography (engraving on linoleum plate), drypoint, mediatint... And other more modern ones, such as silkscreen printing, used by pop artist Andy Warhol. All of them made possible the popularization and dissemination of art, and today allow us to have fantastic masterpieces, perfect to include in our collections.
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  Antique Maps

  Collecting antique maps has thousands of followers. Maps have always been an object of curiosity, attraction and desire for human beings, especially if they are centuries-old documents. Collecting this type of documents, both in the form of charts and as part of antique atlases, has become a real passion for many people. These charts allow us to know how our ancestors saw the world and the territory, and to verify that their knowledge of geography was incredibly accurate. Especially considering that the antique maps were drawn from the ground, without being able to see the contours of the continents from the air or space.
  
  On the other hand, it should not be forgotten that some of these pieces fetch a high value at auction. The most sought-after antique maps and atlases are those that are complete, having been made by important cartographers and printers. Not so long ago, it was a common practice to separate the sheets of atlases in order to sell the maps separately, thus increasing profits. Today, however, the trend is to preserve the works in their entirety. Thanks to this, magnificent works have been preserved, such as an original atlas by Giacomo Cantelli da Vignola with 23 Maps of Europe and the Continents of the World, whose value at auction started at 5,400 euros.
  
  The earliest known map is an engraved Babylonian tablet, dated to the 6th century BC. The circular shape of the map is striking, more symbolic and mystical than realistic. This circular shape is associated with perfection and will be repeated in other later antique maps. This is the case of the first known world map in scale: the map of Anaximander, made around 520 BC. In antique Greece maps underwent an enormous evolution, appearing documents that included latitudes and longitudes or meridians.
  
  The antique maps created between the 8th and 15th centuries gave a new impetus to the art of cartography. Above all, Muslim experts and travelers created documents of enormous value, which included for the first time the representation of cartographic features: mountain ranges, rivers, lakes ... The most prominent is undoubtedly Abu Abdullah Muhammad al-Idirisi, whose world map 'Tabula Rogeriana' (1154, approximately) already considered the Earth to be spherical, adding the aforementioned features. Medieval maps continued to try to represent the world; in Europe they had a strong religious component, with the Bible as inspiration. In many cases, as is the case with the famous Hereford Map (circa 1300), they are scarcely realistic.
  
  The maps of the sixteenth centuries already include the New World, the newly discovered American continent that changed the conception (and cartography) would raise completely. The most antique one that is conserved is the one by the Cantabrian sailor Juan de la Cosa, and at the moment it is conserved in the Naval Museum of Madrid. In the following centuries, much more precise cartographies were created, which were changing according to new discoveries. The maps and projections of Gerardus Mercator (16th century), the first cartographer to make a map of the Arctic, are famous. This map was the inspiration for one of Edgar Allan Poe's best-known stories, "Manuscript Found in a Bottle".
  
  From this moment on, the maps of the 17th, 18th and later centuries reflect a conception of the world and countries much closer to our current reality. Today it is possible to acquire magnificent original engravings in good condition, perfect to be part of a collection or to decorate studios or living rooms previously framed. Because acquiring antique maps is, without a doubt, a fascinating hobby that allows us to delve into the world and the life of our ancestors.
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  Sculptures and Carvings

  For centuries, antique sculptures and figures have been a point of reference in the world of interior decoration and collecting. Among them, metal alloy works such as bronzes and spelter pieces stand out, but so do noble wood carvings and delicate ivory sculptures. Each material carries its own history, technique and aesthetic language, allowing collectors to choose from a rich variety of styles and periods. Today, it is possible to find fine antique bronzes, spelter sculptures, wood carvings, and historic ivories for sale, at a wide range of prices and formats. These pieces offer a perfect opportunity to start or expand a collection, and bring to any space the unique character of artistic sculpture.

  Bronze and Spelter Sculptures: A Brief History

  The Bronze Age is so named because it was during this time that the metallurgy of this alloy, made of copper and tin, was first developed. Bronze was used for centuries to make weapons, tools, coins and jewellery, but also to create works of art. Small bronze figures already existed in Ancient Egypt, but it was Classical Greece that introduced full-scale statuary. The Romans later inherited and perfected this craft, as evidenced by the remarkable gold-plated horse’s head found in Germany, dated to the 1st century and valued at over 1.5 million euros.

  Spelter sculptures have a more recent origin. This alloy, made of zinc carbonate, tin and lead, became popular during the French Revolution, when copper shortages made bronze casting more difficult. Spelter figures were often painted, patinated or gilded, and enjoyed great success from the late 19th to early 20th centuries, especially in the context of Art Nouveau and Art Deco styles.

  Antique Wood Carvings: Tradition and Expression

  Another fascinating area of antique sculpture lies in carved wooden figures. Often religious or folk in inspiration, these works reflect the artisan skill passed down through generations. Made from noble woods such as walnut, boxwood or pearwood, antique wood carvings combine expressive depth with meticulous craftsmanship. These figures once adorned altars, chapels and homes, and continue to move us today with their spiritual resonance and serene beauty.

  Antique Ivories: Elegance, Detail and Refinement

  Ivory sculptures and figures hold a special place in the history of art. From Antiquity onward, ivory has been prized for its beauty and capacity for fine carving. Antique ivory carvings include Gothic Madonnas, 18th-century allegories, and intricately detailed Asian figures. Each piece requires great technical skill and stands out for its luminosity, elegance and delicate detail. Today, only certified pre-1947 specimens with proper CITES documentation are legally traded, adding both security and value to each acquisition.

  Contemporary Sculpture: A Distinctive Alternative

  Beyond antique sculpture, there are modern alternatives of great artistic and decorative interest. These include the famous Nanas by French artist Niki de Saint Phalle, highly sought after in international auctions, and the colourful resin figures by Valencian sculptor Juan Ripollés. Whether in resin or bronze, these contemporary works offer creativity, vibrancy and a powerful visual presence, bringing personality and energy to any space.

  Which is Better: Antique Bronzes, Spelter, Carvings or Ivory?

  There’s no single answer. The decision depends on personal taste, available budget, and the kind of pieces one wishes to acquire. Some collectors are drawn to the symbolic weight of bronze, others to the light charm of spelter, the spiritual depth of wooden carvings, or the refined elegance of ivory. All are valid paths that lead to acquiring meaningful works of art filled with history, beauty and character. And in every case, choosing with care is the first step toward a collection with soul.