glass painting

Object NameReverse Painting

Made FromNon-lead glass

Dateabout 1800-about 1850

Place MadeAlsace-Lorraine, Black Forest

Techniqueblown sheet glass (prob. cylinder process)

SizeH(frame): 37.7 cm, W(frame): 30 cm

Accession Number92.3.32

Credit LineGift of Mr. and Mrs. Frieder Ryser

Curatorial Area(s)

Not On View

Physical DescriptionColorless non-lead glass; blown sheet glass (probably cylinder process), reverse-painted. Flat, rectangular sheet of glass with painted image of George Washington on the reverse; depicted with brown hair, seated in a chair, and turned toward the viewer, wearing a military uniform, a blue coat with red lapels, collar, and cuffs, gold epaulets on the shoulders, white stock and black tie, a sword over his left arm, and holding a white form, presumably a map; a draped table alongside with black tricorn hat on top; green swagged drapery behind with gold tassel, parted to show an exterior view with white zig-zag bands against a green field; the portrait framed with a narrow black line and a wider white border; inscribed in black at the bottom, "Wachington"" in script; mounted in a black-painted wood frame, with cut linear moldings; a metal staple penetrating the top to form a hanger; thin flat wood backboards, held together with metal staples; two pages of a periodical, titled "Der Berner=Bote." and dated 1853, and two pieces of dark brown paper (one inscribed "42" in black ink) inserted inside to provide cushioning for the painted surface.
Provenance

Source Mrs. Frieder Ryser

Source Frieder Ryser