Chinese Reverse Glass Painting of Concubine in Forever Robe

Popularized during the Qing dynasty, reverse glass painting requires an artist to essentially work backwards, starting with details and shading before adding color and form. Lending the finished work a subtle three-dimensional effect, 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 example dates to the late 19th century and depicts the Taoist immortals He Xiangu and Cao Guojiu. Said to have attained immortality through their studies of the natural world, the Eight Immortals each represent a different condition in life and impart blessings of prosperity and longevity. The charming scene is likely one of a set of...

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 effe...

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 effe...

Prevalent in fine Chinese interiors as early as the Tang dynasty (618-906), standing screens with decorative panels served numerous functions as portable architecture. Used to sectio...

This stunning reverse glass painting, masterfully created in early 19th-century China, features a floral composition that embodies the delicacy and elegance of traditional Eastern ar...

This captivating reverse glass painting, created in early 19th-century China, is a rare example of artistic mastery and delicate craftsmanship. The artwork depicts an elegant floweri...

This reverse glass painting, created in China in the early 1800s, embodies the delicacy and elegance typical of Eastern craftsmanship. At the center of the piece, two chrysanthemum-l...

This captivating piece is a refined example of reverse glass painting, a precious technique that transports us back to early 19th-century China. The delicate and fragile glass surfac...