Reverse Glass Portrait of a Seated Woman

With exquisite detail and sparkling color, this portrait of a young woman is a remarkable example of reverse glass painting. Lending the finished work a subtle three-dimensional effect, painting on the opposite side of a glass pane requires the artist to work in reverse. In this case, the delicate features of the woman's face and intricate patterning of her robe and jewelry were painted first, followed by the background and coloring. A challenge to the artist's skill, this exacting technique doesn't allow for any corrections, and is only revealed to its full effect when the glass pane is turned around. This portrait is beautifully painted with graceful motion, from the billowing ribbons hanging from her attire to the plume of smoke from a burning censer. The painting is set in its original hardwood frame.