** A portion of the proceeds from the sale of this artwork will be donated to the Anthony Quinn Foundation, whose mission is to advocate for the important role arts education plays in personal development and in the overall improvement of social, economic and cultural systems. Learn more at aqfoundation.org **

Western Europe, probably Italy, ca. late 17th century CE. A stunning reverse glass painting of the Roman goddess Diana - Greek Artemis - shown in stride as she carries a bow and arrow - as traditional to her iconography - and looks to her left. Skillfully delineated in vibrant hues, the goddess is draped in a flowing, knee-length dress as a pink sash spirals around her, adding movement to her already dynamic pose. Her sweet face displays almond-shaped eyes beneath a gracefully arched brow, a petite nose, full, rosy cheeks, and bowed lips, all crowned by a floral wreath and short, wavy coiffure. A coppered border surrounds the lovely woman, who is set in a modern, gilt wood frame. Size (painting): 2.9" W x 10" H (7.4 cm x 25.4 cm); (frame): 3.4" W x 10.5" H (8.6 cm x 26.7 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. This example shows clear influence from painting of the Florentine Renaissance, with her sweet visage, color palette, and sash reminiscent of paintings of Sandro Botticelli and her dynamic pose drawing from the Mannerist style of Michelangelo.

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

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#169232

Some losses to paint and re-painting to borders and sky. Otherwise, intact and excellent with vibrant colors. Some minor scratches to modern gilt wooden frame.