Oil painting portraits

Before the advent of photography, portrait paintings and sketches were the only way that images of loved ones could be preserved for posterity. Perhaps the most famous oil painting portrait in the world is the Mona Lisa, painted by Italian artist and inventor Leonardo da Vinci in the early 16th century. Oil painting portraits became increasingly popular in European countries over the next few centuries, with masters like Rembrandt in the Netherlands and Gainsborough in Britain completing some of his most famous and exquisite portraits. In the 18th and 19th centuries, American artists completed important works of art. Some of these works are now in the National Portrait Museum in Washington, D.C. For more information visit Ruebens portraits.

While photography added an element of realism to the images, the fascination with oil portraits continued. Oil portraits became a status symbol that only the very wealthy could offer. As color photography became more sophisticated, paper reprints of famous works of art flooded markets. However, even these reprints could not displace the oil painting portrait from its place in people's hearts and homes.

Today, you can trace the history of oil painting portraits and enjoy these beautiful works of art that can show an individual, a group of people or an animal. The immediate availability of skilled artists has also resulted in a lucrative oil painting portrait business in the United States. In recent times, oil painting portraits have become increasingly affordable, and are a popular gift choice to commemorate special occasions. Customers can choose to paint themselves, their family, friends or favorite pets in a particular style or size. The artist can paint subjects on a number of settings, or work from a photograph to create an image on oil and canvas. Because the artist has to paint in layers, a portrait can take several weeks to complete.