Friday Finds: 10 Beautiful Works Under £500

Every Friday we like to shine a light on works that prove original art doesn’t need to be out of reach. Collecting can feel daunting if you imagine it only belongs to high-price auctions or vast gallery walls. But the truth is, there are wonderful paintings out there, full of history, charm and character, that you can bring home for under £500.

This week we’ve chosen ten pieces that capture life in all its forms; a studio at rest, a harbour at dawn, a face that lingers in the mind. Different subjects, but all connected by their ability to draw you in. Each carries something that makes you pause and want to look again. Whether you’re buying for yourself, or as a meaningful gift for a wedding, milestone birthday, or simply “because,” these are the kinds of works that turn houses into homes.

Quiet Corners and Artist Spaces

Smaller works like these often make the best entry points into collecting. They don’t demand a full redesign of your home, they slip into kitchens, hallways, or studies and slowly become part of daily life. Over time, these are the paintings you catch sight of most often, the ones that quietly grow into favourites.

(Left) Studio Interior – British Artist, Oil on Canvas
An intimate glimpse into an artist’s world — this piece feels less like decoration and more like an invitation to step into someone else’s creative space.
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(Right) Still Life of Fruit – German Modernist, Oil on Canvas
Bold and sculptural, this modernist still life would sit as happily in a contemporary kitchen as in a traditional dining room.
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Journeys and Sunlit Escapes

Travel paintings have a way of carrying memory. They’re not just about place, but about feeling — a reminder of light, warmth, or time spent with someone. That’s what makes them such thoughtful gifts too: a wedding, a milestone birthday, or even a thank-you that lasts far longer than flowers.

(Left) Mediterranean Harbour Scene – French Artist, Signed Oil on Canvas
Fishing boats, pastel houses, and a sleepy Mediterranean calm that feels almost cinematic.
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(Middle) House at Torremolinos – Spanish Impressionist, Oil on Canvas
Loose brushstrokes and warm colour give this Spanish view the hazy glow of a remembered holiday.
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(Right) Sunlit Chapel – Provence, Antique French Watercolour
Light and airy, this Provençal chapel sketch captures the essence of a golden afternoon in the South of France.
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Characters and Stories

Portraits and larger statement works bring a different kind of presence. They don’t just hang on the wall — they hold the room, almost like an extra guest at the table. These are the pieces people stop in front of, ask questions about, and remember long after they’ve left your home.

(Left) Male Portrait – Akos Biro (1911–2002), Signed Oil on Canvas
Striking and expressionist, this portrait feels less like an image and more like a personality sharing the room.
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(Right) The Hunting Party – Italian School, Large Signed Oil on Canvas
A dramatic statement canvas with historic detail — an impressive piece at a rare price point.
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Village Life and Reflections

Sometimes the simplest subjects are the ones that linger — bridges, cottages, fountains. They remind us of slower days and the beauty of the everyday, where the smallest details take on unexpected meaning.

Old Town Bridge Reflections – Signed Impressionist Oil on Canvas
Calm, atmospheric, and endlessly versatile — the shimmer of water captured in impressionist strokes.
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Village Fountain with Boules Player – French Impressionist Watercolour
Everyday charm in miniature — a fountain, a game of boules, and the rhythm of village life.
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Village Cottages – French Artist, Antique Oil on Canvas
Stone cottages painted with quiet affection, bringing a sense of rural calm indoors.
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Why Friday Finds Matters

Friday Finds is about making art feel accessible. These works may sit under £500, but what they offer is far greater: connection, memory, a story to take home. We’ve always believed original art makes the most personal gift, whether for someone you love or for yourself.

Affordable doesn’t mean less meaningful. It means collecting with confidence, and finding pieces that speak to you, in your own way.

Explore more of these works in the links above, as well as our curated collections on our website our and see what catches your eye.