Although oil painting depictions of cities trace their origins to Renaissance art, the theme became popular mostly in the 17th century. Especially in the Baroque and Rococo art, cityscapes were a prominent theme in art.
The urbanization of Europe and America during the 19th century also contributed to the popularity of cityscapes. In the late 19th and early 20th century, the emergence of Abstract and Impressionist art further popularized city oil paintings.
Urban scenes are still a prominent theme in art. The contemporary paintings often feature various depictions of cities and urban scenery.
When we talk about street oil paintings, we can list various different models of artwork. Here are some of the most popular of them:
Realist paintings: Paintings with realism as their theme are quite popular. These works usually depict the street and city in its most realistic form.
Expressionist paintings: Expressionism is another street oil painting model that most people favor. These paintings usually depict the city more subjectively.
Historical depictions: Depictions of historical cities in a nostalgic spirit are another popular street oil painting model.
Surrealist paintings: Various surrealist cityscape paintings depict urban scenery in a more fantastical setting.
Impressionist works: Impressionist paintings usually focus on emphasizing the effect of lighting and atmosphere. These paintings often employ vibrant colors and a sense of spontaneity to create a striking scene.
Here are some of the most famous oil paintings depicting cities and city scapes from art history:
The price of different paintings of city scapes might vary on several factors. Usually, the popularity of the artist who created the painting and the overall quality of the artwork are two of the main reasons a painting might be more expensive than usual.
The frame and subject are two of the most significant factors that might inflate the price of city paintings. If an oil paintings city has a quality frame with rich details, it might be more expensive than a painting with a plain frame. Also, artworks depicting sophisticated subjects and popular symbols might have above-average pricing.
Famous city paintings also often have higher prices due to the high demand. Since most people want to decorate their houses with famous city scape paintings, pieces by known artists usually sell more than regular works.
So, if you seek to purchase a famous, well-made painting, you might need to pay a tad higher than average. However, the harmony and aesthetic these artworks add to your home are also unmatched.
You must be careful when cleaning your city oil painting. Since water or harsh chemicals might damage the painting and its varnish, you should avoid using these substances to clean your artwork.
In order to clean your city oil painting, you can get a smooth cloth or some cotton swab and dust over the painting gently. Rubbing or pressing against the painting with them is also a must-avoid, as it might damage the painting.
If you think your painting requires a deep cleaning, it might be time to take it to a professional conservator.
You can follow these instructions to frame your city oil painting without a problem:
Here are some factors you must consider before buying city oil paintings: