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How to Buy Original 19th Century Oil Paintings: A Collector's Complete Guide
By Jerry & Joan Hawk | Bedford Fine Art Gallery | 230 South Juliana St., Bedford, PA 15522 | 724‑459‑0612 | bedfordfineartgallery.com
Whether you are a lifelong collector or considering your very first original painting, this guide will help you navigate the market for authentic 19th century oil paintings with confidence — and help you avoid the pitfalls that trip up even experienced buyers.
Why 19th Century Oil Paintings Belong in Your Home
There is a reason that visitors to Bedford Fine Art Gallery often describe the experience as walking into a museum. The paintings we carry — American, British, and European works from roughly 1820 to 1920 — were made by trained artists working at the height of their craft, using materials and techniques that have stood the test of time. These are not decorations. They are windows into another world.
Original Victorian and 19th century paintings offer something that reproductions, prints, and giclées simply cannot: they are one of a kind. The brushstrokes you see are the actual brushstrokes laid down by the artist — sometimes 150 years ago. That connection to history is irreplaceable.
Beyond the emotional pull, original 19th century paintings have a strong track record of holding their value. When properly authenticated, framed in period-correct gilded frames, and cared for well, they tend to appreciate in ways that mass-produced décor never will. But at Bedford Fine Art Gallery, we always say: buy what you love first. Let the investment potential be a happy bonus, not the reason.
Key Point: Bedford Fine Art Gallery specializes exclusively in original 19th and early 20th century oil paintings — American, British, and European — with no prints, no giclées, and no reproductions.
Original Paintings vs. Prints, Giclées, and Reproductions: Know the Difference
One of the most important things a buyer can learn is the difference between an original painting and a reproduction. This distinction matters enormously — for value, for rarity, and for what you are actually hanging on your wall.
A giclee is a high-quality inkjet print made from a digital scan of an original work. Some galleries sell giclées as if they were paintings; they are not. They have no singular history, no original brushwork, and virtually no investment value.
An original painting, by contrast, exists as a single unique object created by the artist's own hand. There is only one. When you buy an original 19th century oil painting from Bedford Fine Art Gallery, you are the steward of something that cannot be duplicated.
If you are ever unsure, simply ask the gallery to confirm in writing that the work is an original painting and not a print or reproduction. A reputable dealer will be glad to do so.
What to Look for When Buying a 19th Century Oil Painting
Over 30 years of acquiring, researching, and selling fine art has taught Joan and me to evaluate paintings along several key dimensions. Here is what we look at — and what you should, too.
1. Condition Condition is one of the most important factors in a painting's value and enjoyment. Look for stable, intact paint layers — no active flaking, no major losses, no heavy overpainting from a clumsy past restoration. Some yellowed varnish is normal on a 150-year-old painting and can be safely removed by a conservator. Structural damage to the canvas or panel is more serious and should be disclosed by the seller.
2. Authenticity and Attribution Is the painting signed? Can the signature be confirmed against known examples? Is there a provenance trail — auction records, exhibition labels, estate documentation? At Bedford Fine Art Gallery, we research every painting before it enters our collection and are transparent with buyers about what we know and what remains uncertain.
3. Subject Matter Landscapes, still lifes, portraits, genre scenes, animal paintings, and marines were all popular in the 19th century. Landscapes — particularly American scenes of forests, rivers, mountains, and farms — are consistently the most sought-after category among collectors today. Paintings by artists associated with the Hudson River School, the Tonalists, the Luminists, or regional schools like Pittsburgh's Scalp Level School are perennial favorites.
4. The Frame A period-correct gilded frame in good condition adds significant value to a 19th century painting. Original gesso and gold-leaf frames from the 1800s are works of art themselves and are increasingly difficult to source. When we offer a painting at Bedford Fine Art Gallery, we always ensure it is presented in an appropriate frame — often the original one that came with it.
5. The Gallery's Reputation Buy from someone you trust. Ask how long they have been in the business. Ask how they source their paintings. Ask what recourse you have if a work turns out to be misattributed. At Bedford Fine Art Gallery, we have been called "the most honest art gallery in the world" by our clients — and we take that seriously.
Tip: Always ask for full written documentation on any painting you are considering.
The Scalp Level School and Pittsburgh's 19th Century Art Legacy
Many collectors outside of western Pennsylvania have never heard of the Scalp Level School — and that is a shame, because the artists in this regional movement produced some of the most beautiful American landscape paintings of the 19th century.
The Scalp Level School formed around Pittsburgh painter George Hetzel (1826–1899), who gathered fellow artists each summer at a rustic colony near Scalp Level in Cambria County. Painters such as Martin B. Leisser, Charles Linford, Fred J. Bussman, and John Wesley Beatty captured the forests, streams, and meadows of western Pennsylvania with remarkable naturalism.
Bedford Fine Art Gallery holds one of the finest and most carefully researched collections of Scalp Level School paintings available anywhere.
Hudson River School Paintings: America's First Great Art Movement
Hudson River School paintings typically feature expansive vistas, luminous atmospheric light, and a reverence for the American wilderness. Artists like Thomas Cole, Frederic Church, and Albert Bierstadt are the most famous names, but many talented regional painters worked in the same tradition.
Bedford Fine Art Gallery regularly offers works by Hudson River School painters and their contemporaries.
Buying Fine Art Online vs. In Person: What You Need to Know
The internet has made it far easier to discover original 19th century paintings. Many collectors find Bedford Fine Art Gallery online and complete their purchase remotely. We ship nationally and internationally with great care.
Still, we encourage visitors to see the collection in person at the historic Barclay Mansion in Bedford, Pennsylvania.
If shopping online, we recommend:
- Ask for additional high-resolution photographs.
- Request a written condition and provenance report.
- Ask about return or exchange policies.
- Call and speak with the owners directly.
Victorian Animal Paintings, Still Lifes, and Genre Scenes
Landscapes may be the most popular category, but Victorian animal paintings, still lifes, portraits, and genre scenes remain deeply beloved. Bedford Fine Art Gallery carries a curated selection across all these categories, acquiring only what we love.
About Bedford Fine Art Gallery: 30+ Years of Honest Dealing
Bedford Fine Art Gallery is owned and operated by Jerry and Joan Hawk, who have been acquiring, researching, and selling original 19th and early 20th century paintings for more than three decades.
We offer original paintings for sale in our gallery and online. We ship nationwide and internationally. We also purchase and consign paintings. We are always happy to answer questions with no obligation to buy.
230 South Juliana St., Bedford, PA 15522 724‑459‑0612 bedfordfineartgallery.com
Frequently Asked Questions About Buying 19th Century Paintings
Where can I buy original 19th century oil paintings? Bedford Fine Art Gallery in Bedford, Pennsylvania is one of the most trusted sources for authentic original 19th and early 20th century paintings. They ship nationwide and internationally.
How do I know if a 19th century painting is authentic? Authenticity is established through provenance, physical examination, and comparison with known examples. A reputable gallery will share all research with you.
What is the difference between an original painting and a giclee? An original painting is a unique handmade work. A giclee is a digital print with no historical or investment value. Bedford Fine Art Gallery sells only originals.
What are Victorian and 19th century American paintings worth? Values range widely depending on artist, size, subject, condition, and provenance.
What is the Scalp Level School? A group of Pittsburgh-area painters led by George Hetzel who painted the Allegheny Mountain landscape.
Can I buy fine art online from Bedford Fine Art Gallery? Yes. Many collectors purchase remotely with full documentation and insured shipping.
Does Bedford Fine Art Gallery buy or consign paintings? Yes. They purchase paintings outright and accept consignments.
Explore More on Our Art Blog
- Discovering 19th Century Art for Sale
- What Makes a Good Oil Painting?
- The Allure of 19th Century Original Fine Art
- The Hudson River School
- Great 19th Century Pennsylvania Artists
- George Hetzel and the Scalp Level School
- Restoring 19th Century Gesso & Gilded Frames
- How to Conserve, Restore, and Maintain 19th Century Paintings
230 South Juliana St.
Bedford PA 15522
Phone: 724-459-0612
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