Painter who was born long before his pupils? (3,6)
I believe the answer is:
old master
'painter' is the definition.
(old master is a kind of painter)
I cannot understand how the rest of the clue works.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for old master that I've seen before include "Classic painter" , "Famous painting" , "Classic painting" , "Michelangelo perhaps" , "soon to retire from school?" .)