Old Master painting encompasses all works created from the Middle Ages to the end of the 18th century. During the medieval period, sacred art dominated, executed in tempera on wood and intended for churches and chapels. These paintings were distinguished by their masterful craftsmanship and extraordinary attention to detail.
Circle of Jan Wijnants, Landscape with Hunters and Travelers by a Lake, oil on panel, Netherlands, 17th century.
Egbert van Heemskerck the Younger (1676–1744), Tavern Scene, oil on canvas, England, after ca. 1695
German-Italian Master, Image from the Cross, oil on board, Western Europe, 16th century.
Giacomo Francesco Cipper – “il Todeschini”, Young man eating from a wooden bowl, oil on canvas, Italy, 1st third of the 18th century
Gillis van Tilborgh (ca. 1625 – ca. 1678) – workshop or circle, Interior of an inn with backgammon players, oil on duplicated canvas, Netherlands, ca. 1650-1670
Govert Camphuysen (1623/1624-1672) – attributed, Landscape with cattle grazing in front of a hut, oil on board
In front of the village thatched hut, sheep, a cow and a goat are grazing. Next to it, a villager is sleeping under a tree. To the left of the composition, a second scene is visible: a man leading a bull over a small bridge over a stream. In the background is a landscape with trees and gentle hills, and the sky occupies a large part of the painting, building the mood of the whole scene. What draws attention is the exquisite way in which the animals are depicted. This was a specialty of Camphuysen, whose work was inspired by the style of Paulus Potter. Warm, earthy colors dominate - browns, ochres, dim greens and broken yellows. The light is soft, diffused, as if in the early morning or towards evening. The sky has shades of gray, beige and soft pink, suggesting changing weather or impending dusk. The contrast between the bright sky on the left and the darker, more saturated part with the cottage on the right gives the image depth and balance.
John Baptist Lambrechts (1680 – after 1731), Genre scene in an inn, oil on board, ca. mid-18th century.
John Baptist Lambrechts (1680 – after 1731), Genre scene in an inn, oil on board, ca. mid-18th century.
Portrait of a nobleman (Sarmacki portrait), oil on canvas, Poland, 18th century.
The portrait, originally rectangular and later cut down to an oval and relined, depicts an elderly man in noble (szlachecki) attire characteristic of the 18th century. The figure is shown half-length, facing frontally with a slight turn of the torso and one hand resting on the hip, which lends the composition a sense of dignity and static elegance.
The face, with mature features such as a high forehead, short, thinning grey hair, and subtle wrinkles — is rendered realistically, with attention to individual physiognomic traits. The gaze is calm and restrained, conveying charisma and composure, as well as an established social standing. This is further emphasized by the impressive noble (szlachecki) attire: a żupan embroidered with gold thread, a dark blue kontusz lined with red fabric, fastened with large gold buttons, and a wide, light-colored sash tied around the hips.
The painting is an excellent example of the so-called “Sarmacki portrait”, emphasizing social class affiliation, wealth, and official position. It stands out for its solid artistic craftsmanship, naturalistic treatment, and the mature age of the sitter.