Chinese Artist, Still Life, Reverse Glass Painting, 1900

Description

Fascinating 19th-century Chinese mirror painting depicting traditional Chinese interiors with flowers in vases placed on wooden stands, bonsai trees in … more Fascinating 19th-century Chinese mirror painting depicting traditional Chinese interiors with flowers in vases placed on wooden stands, bonsai trees in ceramic planters, books, and other details reminiscent of the artistic culture of the time. This work features a still life that includes a plate and a vase with flowers, all depicted with great precision and delicacy. The painting is accompanied by its original fine wood frames and retains the old pins on the back of the panels, elements that testify to their authenticity and time-honored charm.

Inverted glass paintings, such as this one we exhibit, became fashionable in the 18th century. Glass panes were shipped from Europe to China by sea, where they were painted to order, framed, and then brought back to the West for inclusion in Chinese-inspired settings. This process underscores the historical and cultural significance of these works, which were made to satisfy the growing European taste for Eastern aesthetics, creating an artistic bridge between two worlds.

These paintings not only offer a glimpse into 19th-century Chinese life and art, but also represent valuable examples of craftsmanship and design from that era, making them pieces of great interest to collectors and enthusiasts of Eastern art and culture. less