Page 241 - Irving Collection Part II Chinese Art

AN IMPORTANT

GROUP OF CHINESE

EXPORT REVERSE

MIRROR PAINTINGS

Although glass vessels had long been made in China, the production
of fat glass was not accomplished until the 19th century. Even in the
Imperial glass workshops, set up in Beijing in 1696 under the supervision
of the Jesuit Kilian Stumpf, window glass or mirrored glass was not
successfully produced. As a result, from the middle of the 18th century
onwards, when reverse glass painting was already popular in Europe, sheets
of both clear and mirrored glass were sent to Canton from Europe. Chinese
artists, who were already expert in painting and calligraphy, took up the
practice of painting in oil on glass, tracing the outlines of their designs on
the back of the plate and, using a special steel implement, scraping away the
mirror backing to reveal glass that could then be painted.

Glass paintings were made almost entirely for export, fueled by the mania in
Europe for all things Chinese. They most often depicted bucolic landscapes,
frequently with Chinese fgures at various leisurely pursuits, and once in
Europe the best were often placed in elaborate giltwood Chippendale or
Chinoiserie frames. 18th century examples represent the best of Chinese
glass painting, with elaborate compositions, rich color and fne detail. They
are often found in the great country house interiors of the second half of the
18th century, amazing survivals of a luxury trade.

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