Artists by Medium · Part 1 of 20
Oil painting can hold transparent glazes, opaque passages, crisp edges, and revisions within the same surface, making it unusually responsive to both slow construction and direct brushwork.
The 30 profiles below pair a source-based identity note with one item-level work record verified through The Met API. Every embedded image is marked Public Domain by The Metropolitan Museum of Art, and each credit retains its object page and Open Access link.
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A 4:30 moving gallery featuring all 30 artists in this medium.
Original instrumental soundtrack created with Suno: Pigment and Quiet Fire.
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Artists in this article
- Bernardino Detti
- Charlotte Eustache Sophie de Fuligny Damas, marquise de Grollier
- Giuseppe Abbati
- Laurence-Augustine Jubé Héquet (Madame Héquet)
- Rahim Kashani
- Rolán de Moys
- Bernardino da Genoa
- Giovanni Maldura
- Jean-Baptiste Belin de Fontenay the Elder
- William Tasker
- Ben Benn
- Friedrich Walther
- Giuseppe Ruoppolo
- Josef Presser
- Joseph De Martini
- Remo Farruggio
- William Wood
- Filippo Tarchiani
- Franz Wolfgang Rohrich
- Jean-François Montessuy
- John Atherton
- Pieter van Overschee
- Tommaso Fiorentino (Tommaso di Stefano Lunetti)
- Wilhelm (Guillaume) Koller
- Charles-François Marchal
- Charles Philips
- Cornelis Jonson van Ceulen the Younger
- Frederick Waters Watts
- Jean Michelin
- Nicolaos Tzafouris
30 artists working in Oil Painting
1. Bernardino Detti
The Met’s verified item-level constituent record lists Bernardino Detti in the role “Artist.” Its fuller identity line reads “Italian, Pistoia 1498–1571/72 Pistoia.”
A representative work is Portrait of a Young Man. The Met catalogs it as Painting, made in Oil on wood. Its collection classification is Paintings. The item-level credit line reads: Gift of Alice Borland Wilson, 1956. The museum marks the object Public Domain under its Open Access policy.
Sources: Met identity/item source
2. Charlotte Eustache Sophie de Fuligny Damas, marquise de Grollier
The Met’s verified item-level constituent record lists Charlotte Eustache Sophie de Fuligny Damas, marquise de Grollier in the role “Artist.” Its fuller identity line reads “French, Paris 1741–1828 Épinay-sur-Seine.”
A representative work is Still Life with a Vase of Flowers, Melon, Peaches, and Grapes (1780). The Met catalogs it as Painting, made in Oil on canvas. Its collection classification is Paintings. The item-level credit line reads: Purchase, Friends of European Paintings Gifts, 2022. The museum marks the object Public Domain under its Open Access policy.
Sources: Met identity/item source
3. Giuseppe Abbati
The Met’s verified item-level constituent record lists Giuseppe Abbati in the role “Artist.” Its fuller identity line reads “Italian, Naples 1836–1868 Florence.”
A representative work is A Man Seated and Asleep (ca. 1865). The Met catalogs it as Painting, made in Oil on wood. Its collection classification is Paintings. The item-level credit line reads: Purchase, Friends of European Paintings Gifts, 2022. The museum marks the object Public Domain under its Open Access policy.
Sources: Met identity/item source
4. Laurence-Augustine Jubé Héquet (Madame Héquet)
The Met’s verified item-level constituent record lists Laurence-Augustine Jubé Héquet (Madame Héquet) in the role “Artist.” Its fuller identity line reads “French, Cuneo (Coni) 1803/4–1864 Paris.”
A representative work is Ingres (1780–1867) as a Young Man (ca. 1850–60). The Met catalogs it as Painting, made in Oil on canvas. Its collection classification is Paintings. The item-level credit line reads: Bequest of Grace Rainey Rogers, 1943. The museum marks the object Public Domain under its Open Access policy.
Sources: Met identity/item source
5. Rahim Kashani
The Met’s verified item-level constituent record lists Rahim Kashani in the role “Artist.” Its fuller identity line reads “Iranian.”
A representative work is People of the Prophet's House with Companions (dated A.H. 1301/1883 CE). The Met catalogs it as Painting, made in Oil on canvas. Its collection classification is Paintings. The item-level credit line reads: Purchase, 2017 and 2018 NoRuz at The Met Benefits, 2020. The museum marks the object Public Domain under its Open Access policy.
Sources: Met identity/item source
6. Rolán de Moys
The Met’s verified item-level constituent record lists Rolán de Moys in the role “Artist.” Its fuller identity line reads “Netherlandish, Brussels ca. 1520–1592 Zaragoza.”
A representative work is Portrait of a Woman. The Met catalogs it as Painting, made in Oil on canvas. Its collection classification is Paintings. The item-level credit line reads: Bequest of Harry G. Sperling, 1971. The museum marks the object Public Domain under its Open Access policy.
Sources: Met identity/item source
7. Bernardino da Genoa
The Met’s verified item-level constituent record lists Bernardino da Genoa in the role “Artist.” Its fuller identity line reads “Italian, Genoese, active in 1515.”
A representative work is Madonna and Child with Angels (1515). The Met catalogs it as Painting, made in Oil on wood. Its collection classification is Paintings. The item-level credit line reads: Gift of George Blumenthal, 1941. The museum marks the object Public Domain under its Open Access policy.
Sources: Met identity/item source
8. Giovanni Maldura
The Met’s verified item-level constituent record lists Giovanni Maldura in the role “Artist.” Its fuller identity line reads “Italian, active by 1810, died 1849 Rome.”
A representative work is David at the Cave of Adullam. The Met catalogs it as Painting, made in Oil on canvas. Its collection classification is Paintings. The item-level credit line reads: Kretschmar Fund, 1921. The museum marks the object Public Domain under its Open Access policy.
Sources: Met identity/item source
9. Jean-Baptiste Belin de Fontenay the Elder
The Met’s verified item-level constituent record lists Jean-Baptiste Belin de Fontenay the Elder in the role “Artist.” Its fuller identity line reads “French, Caen 1653–1715 Paris.”
A representative work is Vase of Flowers (late 17th century). The Met catalogs it as Overdoor, made in Oil on canvas. Its collection classification is Paintings-Decorative. The item-level credit line reads: Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1906. The museum marks the object Public Domain under its Open Access policy.
Sources: Met identity/item source
10. William Tasker
The Met’s verified item-level constituent record lists William Tasker in the role “Artist.” Its fuller identity line reads “American.”
A representative work is National Defense. The Met catalogs it as Painting, made in Oil on canvas. Its collection classification is Paintings. The item-level credit line reads: Gift of Pennsylvania W. P. A., 1943. The museum marks the object Public Domain under its Open Access policy.
Sources: Met identity/item source
11. Ben Benn
The Met’s verified item-level constituent record lists Ben Benn in the role “Artist.” Its fuller identity line reads “American (born Ukraine), Kamianets-Podilskyi 1884–1983 Bethel, Connecticut.”
A representative work is Still Life (1941). The Met catalogs it as Painting, made in Oil on canvas. Its collection classification is Paintings. The item-level credit line reads: Gift of New York City W. P. A., 1943. The museum marks the object Public Domain under its Open Access policy.
Sources: Met identity/item source
12. Friedrich Walther
The Met’s verified item-level constituent record lists Friedrich Walther in the role “Artist.” Its fuller identity line reads “German, ca. 1440–1494.”
A representative work is Sermon of Saint Albertus Magnus (ca. 1430–95). The Met catalogs it as Panel, made in Oil on wood. Its collection classification is Paintings-Panels. The item-level credit line reads: The Cloisters Collection, 1964. The museum marks the object Public Domain under its Open Access policy.
Sources: Met identity/item source
13. Giuseppe Ruoppolo
The Met’s verified item-level constituent record lists Giuseppe Ruoppolo in the role “Artist.” Its fuller identity line reads “Italian, Naples ca. 1639–1710 Naples.”
A representative work is Still Life of Fruit and Nuts (ca. 1660–69). The Met catalogs it as Painting, made in Oil on canvas. Its collection classification is Paintings. The item-level credit line reads: Bequest of Errol M. Rudman, 2020. The museum marks the object Public Domain under its Open Access policy.
Sources: Met identity/item source
14. Josef Presser
The Met’s verified item-level constituent record lists Josef Presser in the role “Artist.” Its fuller identity line reads “American (born Poland), Lublin 1907–1967 Paris, France.”
A representative work is The Harbor (ca. 1943). The Met catalogs it as Painting, made in Oil on wood. Its collection classification is Paintings. The item-level credit line reads: Gift of Pennsylvania W. P. A., 1943. The museum marks the object Public Domain under its Open Access policy.
Sources: Met identity/item source
15. Joseph De Martini
The Met’s verified item-level constituent record lists Joseph De Martini in the role “Artist.” Its fuller identity line reads “American, Mobile, Alabama 1896–1984 Boston, Massachusetts.”
A representative work is Docks on Sunday (ca. 1941). The Met catalogs it as Painting, made in Oil on canvas. Its collection classification is Paintings. The item-level credit line reads: Gift of New York City W. P. A., 1943. The museum marks the object Public Domain under its Open Access policy.
Sources: Met identity/item source
16. Remo Farruggio
The Met’s verified item-level constituent record lists Remo Farruggio in the role “Artist.” Its fuller identity line reads “American, Palermo 1906–1981 Provincetown, Massachusetts.”
A representative work is Basin Street (1938). The Met catalogs it as Painting, made in Oil on canvas. Its collection classification is Paintings. The item-level credit line reads: Gift of New York City W. P. A., 1943. The museum marks the object Public Domain under its Open Access policy.
Sources: Met identity/item source
17. William Wood
The Met’s verified item-level constituent record lists William Wood in the role “Artist.” Its fuller identity line reads “British, 1769–1810.”
A representative work is Joanna de Silva (1792). The Met catalogs it as Painting, made in Oil on canvas. Its collection classification is Paintings. The item-level credit line reads: Purchase, Bequest of Mary Jane Dastich, in memory of her husband, General Frank Dastich, by exchange and Charles B. Curtis Fund, 2020. The museum marks the object Public Domain under its Open Access policy.
Sources: Met identity/item source
18. Filippo Tarchiani
The Met’s verified item-level constituent record lists Filippo Tarchiani in the role “Artist.” Its fuller identity line reads “Italian, Castello 1576–1645 Florence.”
A representative work is Saint Dominic in Penitence (ca. 1607). The Met catalogs it as Painting, made in Oil on canvas. Its collection classification is Paintings. The item-level credit line reads: Gift of Brian J. Brille, 2015. The museum marks the object Public Domain under its Open Access policy.
Sources: Met identity/item source
19. Franz Wolfgang Rohrich
The Met’s verified item-level constituent record lists Franz Wolfgang Rohrich in the role “Artist.” Its fuller identity line reads “German, 1787–1834.”
A representative work is Sophia (1464–1512) of Poland. The Met catalogs it as Painting, made in Oil on canvas. Its collection classification is Paintings. The item-level credit line reads: Gift of Laura Wolcott Lowndes, in memory of her father, Lucius Tuckerman, 1907. The museum marks the object Public Domain under its Open Access policy.
Sources: Met identity/item source
20. Jean-François Montessuy
The Met’s verified item-level constituent record lists Jean-François Montessuy in the role “Artist.” Its fuller identity line reads “French, Lyons 1804–1876 Lyons.”
A representative work is Pope Gregory XVI Visiting the Church of San Benedetto at Subiaco (1843). The Met catalogs it as Painting, made in Oil on canvas. Its collection classification is Paintings. The item-level credit line reads: The Whitney Collection, Gift of Wheelock Whitney III, and Purchase, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Charles S. McVeigh, by exchange, 2003. The museum marks the object Public Domain under its Open Access policy.
Sources: Met identity/item source
21. John Atherton
The Met’s verified item-level constituent record lists John Atherton in the role “Artist.” Its fuller identity line reads “American, Brainerd, Minnesota 1900–1952 New Brunswick, Canada.”
A representative work is The Black Horse (1942). The Met catalogs it as Painting, made in Oil on canvas. Its collection classification is Paintings. The item-level credit line reads: Arthur Hoppock Hearn Fund, 1942. The museum marks the object Public Domain under its Open Access policy.
Sources: Met identity/item source
22. Pieter van Overschee
The Met’s verified item-level constituent record lists Pieter van Overschee in the role “Artist.” Its fuller identity line reads “Flemish, active ca. 1645–61.”
A representative work is Still Life of Fruit and Game (1645). The Met catalogs it as Painting, made in Oil on wood. Its collection classification is Paintings. The item-level credit line reads: Bequest of Grace Wilkes, 1921. The museum marks the object Public Domain under its Open Access policy.
Sources: Met identity/item source
23. Tommaso Fiorentino (Tommaso di Stefano Lunetti)
The Met’s verified item-level constituent record lists Tommaso Fiorentino (Tommaso di Stefano Lunetti) in the role “Artist.” Its fuller identity line reads “Italian, Florentine, ca. 1495–1564.”
A representative work is Portrait of a Man (1521). The Met catalogs it as Painting, made in Oil on wood. Its collection classification is Paintings. The item-level credit line reads: Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1917. The museum marks the object Public Domain under its Open Access policy.
Sources: Met identity/item source
24. Wilhelm (Guillaume) Koller
The Met’s verified item-level constituent record lists Wilhelm (Guillaume) Koller in the role “Artist.” Its fuller identity line reads “Austrian, Vienna 1829–1884 Ancy-sur-Moselle.”
A representative work is Hugo van der Goes Making a Portrait of Mary of Burgundy (ca. 1872). The Met catalogs it as Painting, made in Oil on wood. Its collection classification is Paintings. The item-level credit line reads: Bequest of Stephen Whitney Phoenix, 1881. The museum marks the object Public Domain under its Open Access policy.
Sources: Met identity/item source
25. Charles-François Marchal
The Met’s verified item-level constituent record lists Charles-François Marchal in the role “Artist.” Its fuller identity line reads “French, Paris 1825–1877 Paris.”
A representative work is Penelope (ca. 1868). The Met catalogs it as Painting, made in Oil on canvas. Its collection classification is Paintings. The item-level credit line reads: Gift of Mrs. Adolph Obrig, in memory of her husband, 1917. The museum marks the object Public Domain under its Open Access policy.
Sources: Met identity/item source
26. Charles Philips
The Met’s verified item-level constituent record lists Charles Philips in the role “Artist.” Its fuller identity line reads “British, London 1703–1747 London.”
A representative work is The Strong Family (1732). The Met catalogs it as Painting, made in Oil on canvas. Its collection classification is Paintings. The item-level credit line reads: Gift of Robert Lehman, 1944. The museum marks the object Public Domain under its Open Access policy.
Sources: Met identity/item source
27. Cornelis Jonson van Ceulen the Younger
The Met’s verified item-level constituent record lists Cornelis Jonson van Ceulen the Younger in the role “Artist.” Its fuller identity line reads “Dutch, London 1634–1715 Utrecht.”
A representative work is Portrait of a Man with a Watch (1657). The Met catalogs it as Painting, made in Oil on canvas. Its collection classification is Paintings. The item-level credit line reads: Given in memory of Felix M. Warburg by his wife and children, 1941. The museum marks the object Public Domain under its Open Access policy.
Sources: Met identity/item source
28. Frederick Waters Watts
The Met’s verified item-level constituent record lists Frederick Waters Watts in the role “Artist.” Its fuller identity line reads “British, Bath 1800–1870 Hampstead.”
A representative work is An Old Bridge at Hendon, Middlesex (ca. 1828). The Met catalogs it as Painting, made in Oil on canvas. Its collection classification is Paintings. The item-level credit line reads: Gift of George A. Hearn, 1897. The museum marks the object Public Domain under its Open Access policy.
Sources: Met identity/item source
29. Jean Michelin
The Met’s verified item-level constituent record lists Jean Michelin in the role “Artist.” Its fuller identity line reads “French, ca. 1616–1670.”
A representative work is The Baker's Cart (1656). The Met catalogs it as Painting, made in Oil on canvas. Its collection classification is Paintings. The item-level credit line reads: Fletcher Fund, 1927. The museum marks the object Public Domain under its Open Access policy.
Sources: Met identity/item source
30. Nicolaos Tzafouris
The Met’s verified item-level constituent record lists Nicolaos Tzafouris in the role “Artist.” Its fuller identity line reads “Greek, ca. 1455–1500/1501.”
A representative work is Christ Bearing the Cross. The Met catalogs it as Painting, icon, made in Oil and tempera on wood, gold ground. Its collection classification is Paintings. The item-level credit line reads: Bashford Dean Memorial Collection, Funds from various donors, 1929. The museum marks the object Public Domain under its Open Access policy.
Sources: Met identity/item source
Method and source notes
Selection excludes the previous 600-profile series and favors less familiar names where the evidence allows. Every embedded work image in this article comes from a Met item record marked Public Domain.
