Western Europe, probably Italy, ca. 17th century CE. A wonderful reverse glass painting of a figure standing contrapposto and dressed in Classical attire - a green tunic and red chlamys. Surrounded by a pastoral landscape, the figure turns to his left, facing a bearded figure with whom he seems to be conversing, and holds his index finger to his chin, as though in deep thought. All set in a pastoral landscape, the scene is enveloped by a lustrous copper border, followed by a modern, gilt, wood frame. Size (without frame): 2.8" W x 9.8" H (7.1 cm x 24.9 cm); (with frame): 3.3" W x 10.3" H (8.4 cm x 26.2 cm)

Reverse glass painting, also known as "verre eglomise" in French or "Hinterglasmalerei" in German, is a centuries-old practice of painting a piece of glass and then viewing it from the other side. This causes the artist to have to think in reverse and start with the details of the painting before adding larger blocks of color. The practice has been widely used for sacral paintings since the Medieval period. Most famous for the reverse glass paintings of the Byzantine Empire, the practice then spread to Venice, where it influenced Renaissance art, and became favored by the Church and nobility throughout Central Europe. It continued as a widely popular folk art through the 19th century.

Provenance: ex-private collection of actor Anthony Quinn and his wife Katherine, Bristol, Rhode Island, USA acquired prior to 2000

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#169233

Some chipping to peripheries of glass, especially on right side. Losses to copper and pigment with some repainting in areas. Otherwise, very nice. Set in modern, gilt, wood frame.