The term “old master” refers to both a European artist who lived and worked during a specific time period, as well as works of art created during that time. The old master period can be defined in a variety of ways, but it is generally accepted to cover art created between the 1400s and the 1700s. Art historians debate whether the term “old master” is useful, and they may use other terms to refer to art created during this time period.
Many famous galleries have a “old master” wing, and art auction houses may use the term to identify artwork in their catalogs, despite the disapproval of art historians. As a result, it’s helpful to know what kind of art is being discussed when the term is used. Because the time period for works of art classified as old masters is so broad, this umbrella term encompasses a wide range of artistic styles and techniques, as well as a number of artists such as Goya, Dürer, da Vinci, Tintoretto, Raphael, and Vermeer, among many others.
It’s important to keep in mind that this phrase only refers to European art, not art from other parts of the world. It alludes to the highly skilled and talented artists, known as “masters,” who worked during this time under the supervision of guilds or collectives. Many old masters collaborated with and for patrons, who were a vital part of the art world at the time. The old master period reflects a turbulent period in European history, as the Renaissance brought about major changes in European culture.
Paintings, drawings, etchings, prints, sketches, illuminated manuscripts, and sculpture were all created the old masters. Because so many of the old masters produced a large body of amazing paintings and frescoes, the term is often used specifically in reference to painting. In addition, art galleries frequently display old master prints. An old master’s work is distinguished extreme technical skill and a distinct, sometimes haunting beauty that has kept the artwork popular for centuries.
Even if the artist responsible for a work is unknown, it can still be referred to as an old master to indicate the period in which it was created. As is the case with the Master of Flemelle, an identifying mark such as the name of the artist’s patron or the region in which the painting was created is used to name the artist. Looking at works of art from the time period can be very instructive, as they show how people lived, worked, and played during a turbulent and unquestionably exciting period in European history.