old master
noun
: a work of art by an established master and especially by any of the distinguished painters of the 16th, 17th, or early 18th century
also
: such an artist
Examples of old master in a Sentence
Their collection of old masters will be sold at the auction.
Recent Examples on the Web
Ghirri’s essays teem with allusions to art history, and two of the more striking large Polaroids invoked paintings by the artist’s favorite old masters, though the homages inclined less toward reverence than tart irony.
—
James Quandt, Artforum, 2 June 2026
For many, the lustrous vehicles of past decades qualify as old masters.
—Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 1 June 2026
Decades and decades later, someone approached him about finding the old masters.
—Dana Taylor, USA Today, 25 May 2026
Art in America, founded in 1913, was modeled after German academic journals and early issues covered the old masters in American collections and American folk art.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 22 Apr. 2026
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James Quandt, Artforum, 2 June 2026
For many, the lustrous vehicles of past decades qualify as old masters.
—Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 1 June 2026
Decades and decades later, someone approached him about finding the old masters.
—Dana Taylor, USA Today, 25 May 2026
Art in America, founded in 1913, was modeled after German academic journals and early issues covered the old masters in American collections and American folk art.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 22 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for old master
Cite this Entry
“Old master.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/old%20master. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.
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