Antique Folk Art Reverse Glass Painting | Saint George and the Dragon 19th C Germany

Description

19th-century German eglomise reversed glass painting depicts Saint George slaying the dragon atop a regal white horse. Our research suggests … more 19th-century German eglomise reversed glass painting depicts Saint George slaying the dragon atop a regal white horse. Our research suggests it originates from Bavaria Germany, though it also resembles similar works of the period that came from Bulgaria and Romania.

This style of cold painting and gilding on the back of the glass is also known as verre églomisé, named after the French decorator Jean-Baptiste Glomy. In German, it is known as Hinterglasmalerei.

Painted in rich green, red, yellow, and brown, with an ombre blue sky in the background. Large traditional, folk art flowers flank the Saint in each top corner. This painting boasts delicate and detailed linework when viewed up close, where many eglomise works of the period were much cruder.

Another thing I appreciate about this religious painting is the calm and kind expression on the face of George, where some depictions I've seen can be much more aggressive. This approach emphasizes reverence for the hero rather than the glorification of an act of violence. less