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
As the Princeton University Art Museum undergoes renovations, its old master paintings remain behind closed doors.
—
Teresa Nowakowski, Smithsonian Magazine, 25 Aug. 2023
Twenty-five years ago, London’s Courtauld Gallery received an alarming tip: An anonymous caller claimed that 11 of the gallery’s old master paintings weren’t genuine.
—Teresa Nowakowski, Smithsonian Magazine, 1 June 2023
When her old master tracks her down, she is confronted by the past.
—Marta Balaga, Variety, 17 May 2023
The Phoenix museum displays Asian works, Geoffrey Beene couture, Arizona landscapes, American abstracts from early last century, old masters and the occasional Picasso and Warhol.
—Michael Janofsky, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2023
In calligraphy, the idea is to replicate the old masters’ techniques, thereby refining your own.
—Jerrine Tan, New York Times, 27 June 2023
In addition to the Kandinsky, their sophisticated art collection included works by Edvard Munch, Pierre-Auguste Renoir and Dutch old masters.
—Ella Feldman, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 Feb. 2023
Henry Pettifer, an expert in old masters at Christie’s auction house, just found two.
—Christopher Parker, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 May 2023
The exhibit, which is regularly updated, recently welcomed a contemporary mural created by Mexican craftsmen who were inspired by the old masters and will run through June 12.
—MarÍa Teresa HernÁndez, ajc, 6 May 2023
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Teresa Nowakowski, Smithsonian Magazine, 25 Aug. 2023
Twenty-five years ago, London’s Courtauld Gallery received an alarming tip: An anonymous caller claimed that 11 of the gallery’s old master paintings weren’t genuine.
—Teresa Nowakowski, Smithsonian Magazine, 1 June 2023
When her old master tracks her down, she is confronted by the past.
—Marta Balaga, Variety, 17 May 2023
The Phoenix museum displays Asian works, Geoffrey Beene couture, Arizona landscapes, American abstracts from early last century, old masters and the occasional Picasso and Warhol.
—Michael Janofsky, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2023
In calligraphy, the idea is to replicate the old masters’ techniques, thereby refining your own.
—Jerrine Tan, New York Times, 27 June 2023
In addition to the Kandinsky, their sophisticated art collection included works by Edvard Munch, Pierre-Auguste Renoir and Dutch old masters.
—Ella Feldman, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 Feb. 2023
Henry Pettifer, an expert in old masters at Christie’s auction house, just found two.
—Christopher Parker, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 May 2023
The exhibit, which is regularly updated, recently welcomed a contemporary mural created by Mexican craftsmen who were inspired by the old masters and will run through June 12.
—MarÍa Teresa HernÁndez, ajc, 6 May 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'old master.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
circa 1684, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near old master
Cite this Entry
“Old master.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/old%20master. Accessed 1 Oct. 2023.
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