Old Master Paintings

In art history, "Old Master" refers to any painter of skill who worked in Europe before about 1800, or a painting by such an artist.

In theory, "Old Master" applies only to artists who were fully trained, were Masters of their local artists' guild, and worked independently, but in practice, paintings produced by pupils or workshops are often included in the scope of the term. Therefore, beyond a certain level of competence, date rather than quality is the criterion for using the term.