South Asia, India, Mughal Empire, ca. 19th century CE. A stunning reverse glass painting depicting a Mughal princess sitting outdoors on an elegant chair overlooking the royal gardens with azure blue skies overhead. The woman wears a diaphanous silk dress and smokes a Hookah water pipe. She is bedecked in an elaborate jewelry ensemble comprised of a four-strand beaded necklace, earrings, bracelets, as well as ankle bands - all finely delineated in golden hues which make a lovely contrast with her alabaster complexion. Her visage presents a serene expression with almond-shaped eyes, arched brows, an aquiline nose, and heart-shaped pink lips - all framed by a long black, centrally parted coiffure, with an embroidered red hat completing her outfit. A striking reverse-glass painting of a Mughal princess mounted in a custom gold-tone wood frame with coordinating moldings and a silky fabric covered matte. Size: 19.5" L x 13.5" W (49.5 cm x 34.3 cm); 28" L x 22" W (71.1 cm x 55.9 cm) in frame

Reverse glass painting was popular in India among the royal courts from the late 18th to mid 19th century. This artform arrived in India via global trade established by the Portuguese, Dutch, French and English during the 16th and 17th centuries. Among the coveted imported items were Chinese reverse glass paintings which came to India in the late 18th century. Soon thereafter Indian artists learned the techniques of reverse glass painting. Royalty in India collected reverse glass paintings, and as land owning merchants grew more prosperous in the 19th century, they collected reverse glass paintings as well. Interestingly, the artists who created these paintings were chitrakara (craftspeople) who generally belonged to marginalized castes.

The technique required immense skill. Artists began by placing a transparent sheet of glass over a drawing, then drew the outlines and details. Next, metallic foils and sequins were sometimes added. Then, tempera paint was used to apply larger swaths of color, and shading was implemented. Artists needed to employ their memory as they created each piece, because they covered various elements of the painting sequentially. So artists needed to possess remarkable skills to create these precious works.

Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection

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#123621

This reverse-glass painting is mounted in a custom gold tone wood frame with coordinating moldings and a silky fabric covered matte. Artwork has not been examined outside the frame but appears to be in very nice condition save normal age wear. There are a few blemishes/areas of discoloration to the glass. Frame has a few scuffs and stains to the finish but is otherwise very nice and fit with suspension wire.