Bidspirit auction | Lrg Chinese Qing Figural Reverse

Lrg Chinese Qing Figural Reverse Glass Painting - Large Chinese reverse painting on glass panel, Qing dynasty. Depicting a court lady dressed in elegant robes decorated with peacock feathers and scrolling floral motifs, with a silver object held delicately in her right hand. A young child waits patiently beside the female subject, carrying a basket of flowers in bloom, including chrysanthemums. A small deer peeks out from behind the woman, looking over inquisitively at the smiling child. Provenance: The Distinguished Collection of Leo & Doris Hodroff. Emerging in 18th-century China during the Qing dynasty under Emperor Kangxi, reverse glass painting is an intricate art form where oil and gouache are applied to the back of a glass panel in reverse order to create detailed imagery. Offering a novel sensory experience compared to traditional porcelain, pith paper, or canvas, the medium was prized by Eastern and Western elites alike, with European aristocrats paying steep sums to acquire pieces for their homes or personal collections. The technique also developed an intimate connection with female portraiture; the glass’s reflective surface lends an extra dimension of grace to women's portraits, creating a subtle, intimate presence that makes catching a subject's eye feel like a timeless connection. Sight; height: 42 in x width: 20 1/2 in. Framed; height: 48 in x width: 26 1/2 in x depth: 1 1/2 in. Condition: There are no visible large cracks, chips, or restorations. Some light wear including an area of minute loss to the woman's forehead. Some light wear to the edges. Light wear to the frame. Not inspected out of frame.