Oil Paintings for Sale

Oil paints are one of the most influential mediums in art history. Being the preferred medium by many innovative artists such as Salvador Dalí, Leonardo da Vinci, Frida Kahlo, and Vincent Van Gogh.

Van Gogh’s story is often referred to as a tragedy of a mad man. However, there was always one constant relationship that would nurture and care for Vincent until the very end, and it was with his younger brother Theodorus.

There came a time in Vincent’s life when he was at a crossroad for his future. With persuasion from Theo, Vincent decided to dedicate his life to art. He moved in with Theo and was introduced to a few early expressionist oil painters of the time. This transformed Vincent’s large oil painting style into one of vibrancy and soul compared to his earlier work. With the financial help from Theo, Vincent moved into The Yellow House where he would dedicate his time to paint. About a year later, Vincent admitted himself to a hospital where he would then create 150 paintings in the span of one year including the famous post-impressionist landscape painting, The Starry Night. Soon after, he moved near Theo and continued to paint. Instead of constantly writing to each other as they did when they lived apart, the brothers lived close enough to spend time together. In July 1890, Vincent passed away and had a small but beautiful funeral with his work all along the plot and sunflowers upon his casket.

Upon Theo’s death a year later, his wife Johanna advocated for the late Vincent by lending his large landscape, portrait, and still life oil paintings to museums and galleries. She would later go on to publish the 651 letters sent between Theo and Vinecent. The passion for preserving and expanding exposure of Van Gogh’s artwork was passed down to her son, Vincent. Their hard work led to the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam and let Van Gogh become a household name.

The first oil paint pigments were created with stones and minerals. Producing these pigments was time consuming and difficult, in turn making the pieces more expensive for the collector. The need for such processes was negated in the 15th century thanks to Jan Van Eyck. Reportedly, he was the person who switched the world from tempera to oils that more closely resemble what we have today. His patrons were some of the first art collectors to enjoy original landscape oil paintings with the vibrancy and consistency from his new oil paints. The support from his collectors and commissioners led to an oil paint awakening in the artworld, opening the door to higher quality pigments and works of art for us to view.

The artists at UGallery combine traditional oil painting techniques with their own experiences. Read what our oil painters Jesse Aldana and Jonelle Summerfield have to say about their preferred medium.

“Oil paint has always drawn me to it with an insistent, essential pull. When I sit at my easel and address a canvas in paint it feels like I'm engaging in a really great conversation that might go anywhere. The possibilities and connections represented by color, texture, sheen, saturation, temperature and composition are limitless.” - Oil painter Jesse Aldana

“My mother had been painting with oils since I was a child, I love the rich colors and texture of oil paint. It has a longer drying time, which allows me to make corrections more easily when needed.” - Oil painter Jonelle Summerfield