Lena Rivera
Painting on the back of glass is called reverse glass painting, back painted glass, or glass painting. This art form dates back to Roman times and was popular during the Middle Ages and Renaissance for creating religious objects. In the 16th and 18th centuries, it was used in Europe and China to protect artworks and make them more durable. Reverse glass painting involves painting on the backside of the glass, which is then viewed from the front or first surface side. This technique adds depth and texture to the artwork, creating a unique visual effect when light shines through.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Reverse glass painting, back painted glass, enamelled glass, stained glass |
| Technique | Painting on the opposite side of the glass, starting with the frontmost layer first and the background layer last |
| Glass Type | Clear glass, resistant |
| Paint Type | Enamel, opaque oil paints, powdered ceramic colours |
| Adhesion Method | Firing in a kiln, cold painting |
| Application | Architectural spandrel glass, coloured glass walls, counter tops, artistic glass, auto glass, etc. |
| Historical Influence | China, Europe, Roman times, Middle Ages, Renaissance |
| Notable Artists | Vassily Kandinsky, Benjamin Greenleaf, Thomas Gainsborough |
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What You'll Learn
Reverse glass painting
One of the main challenges of reverse glass painting is the order in which the layers are applied. Details and shadows are usually painted first, with the background added last. This requires careful planning, as each layer must be well thought out and taken into account before starting the next.
To create a reverse glass painting, you will need a glass surface, acrylic paint, and a printed pattern or design. The glass should be cleaned thoroughly, and the side to be painted should be wiped with rubbing alcohol to ensure proper paint adhesion. The painting process involves using a dry brush and a fine lining brush to create the desired effects.
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The history of the art form
Reverse glass painting, also known as 'verre églomisé' or 'Hinterglasmalerei' in French and German respectively, is an art form that involves applying paint to a piece of glass and then viewing the image by turning the glass over and looking through the glass at the image. This art form has a long history that dates back to at least Roman times and has been practised in various parts of the world, including Europe, China, and the Byzantine Empire.
During the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, reverse glass painting was commonly used in the production of religious objects. There were two main types of painting techniques employed during this period. The first type involved using powdered ceramic colours that were fired in a kiln to adhere them to the glass. The second type, known as cold painting, utilised opaque oil paints applied to the back of a clean, smooth, transparent panel of glass. This second technique became popular again in England during the 18th century, with artists such as Thomas Gainsborough creating landscapes using this method.
In the 19th and 20th centuries, Chinese art, including reverse glass painting, had a significant influence on Western artists. Artists like Wassily Kandinsky, Franz Marc, and Heinrich Campendonk were inspired by Chinese reverse glass paintings, incorporating elements of this style into their own work. Kandinsky, in particular, created more than 70 reverse paintings on glass, experimenting with different layers of paint thickness and brushstroke techniques to achieve depth and texture in his works.
Reverse glass painting was also a popular art form during the Regency era in England, where young ladies often learned this skill in school or from their governesses. These paintings were used to decorate homes or given as gifts, and some artists even used their talent in glass painting to support themselves financially.
Today, reverse glass painting continues to be practised and appreciated by artists and collectors worldwide, who recognise the unique challenges and aesthetic qualities that this art form offers.
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The process and challenges
Reverse glass painting is an art form that involves applying paint to a piece of glass and then viewing the image by turning the glass over and looking through the glass at the image. This technique dates back to Roman times and was widely used for religious objects in the Middle Ages and Renaissance. It later spread to Italy, influencing Renaissance art in Venice.
The process of reverse glass painting typically involves three fundamental steps: line art, painting of internal areas, and background. The first step is to create the line art, using black lines to outline the primary idea of the painting. In the second step, the internal areas are painted, including details and shadows. The final step is to paint the background, which is typically done last as it requires the least amount of detail.
One of the main challenges of reverse glass painting is the order in which the layers are applied. Unlike traditional painting, the details and shadows are painted first, followed by the background. This requires careful planning and consideration of the final result before starting the piece. Each layer must be well thought out and applied in reverse order, which can be complicated.
Another challenge is preparing the glass surface. The glass must be thoroughly cleaned and sanded to ensure it is safe to handle during the painting process. It is important to remove any streaks, oil, or residue from the glass so that the paint will adhere properly.
Additionally, the type of paint used is important. Acrylic or multi-surface paint is recommended as it adheres well to the glass surface. Oil paints can also be used, but they may require a different composition and structural layout. It is also possible to use powdered ceramic colours, which are then fired in a kiln to permanently adhere them to the glass. This technique, known as enamelled glass, is typically used for smaller vessels.
Overall, reverse glass painting requires careful planning, preparation, and the use of appropriate materials to ensure a successful outcome. The unique challenges of this art form, such as the reverse order of painting and the preparation of the glass surface, can be overcome with practice and the right techniques.
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Influence on other artists
Reverse glass painting, also known as verre églomisé in French and Hinterglasmalerei in German, has influenced artists all over the world. The art form has been around for centuries, dating back to at least Roman times, and was widely used for religious paintings during the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. It was particularly popular in Italy, especially in Venice, where it influenced Renaissance art. Byzantine glassmakers who settled on the island of Murano in the 13th century made Venice a centre for reverse glass painting. The art form was also favoured by the Church and nobility throughout Central Europe in the 18th century.
During the 19th and 20th centuries, China had a significant influence on art, and Chinese reverse glass painting inspired artists such as Gabriel Münter, Wassily Kandinsky, Franz Marc, and Heinrich Campendonk. Kandinsky, for example, created more than 70 reverse paintings on glass, often using thick black lines to outline his subjects. Chinese reverse glass paintings, on the other hand, typically used thin black lines to outline human figures. Kandinsky's paintings also demonstrate the use of internal layers with rapid sweeping brush strokes in large regions and stippling of colour in other areas.
Reverse glass painting has also influenced folk art in Austria, Bavaria, and Bohemia, and Romania. In Transylvania, traditional Romanian icons are created using this technique. The art form was brought to China by Jesuit missionaries and then spread to Japan during the Edo period, where it was adopted by Japanese artists in the 19th century. It also made its way to India, where it became popular in the 18th and 19th centuries, often depicting mythological and religious scenes.
In the United States, artists such as Marsden Hartley, Rebecca Salsbury James, and Benjamin Greenleaf have created works using reverse glass painting. Hartley, in particular, was influenced by the technique after relocating to Berlin in 1913, where he became friends with Kandinsky and Marc. He painted about a dozen still lifes of flowers using this method, finding the process challenging.
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Modern applications
Reverse glass painting, also known as verre églomisé in French and Hinterglasmalerei in German, has been practised for centuries and has had a broad influence on art. In modern times, this intricate art form continues to be practised and appreciated by artists and art lovers worldwide.
In Fine Art
Wassily Kandinsky, a pioneer of modern art, created more than 70 reverse glass paintings in his career, including four early works between 1911 and 1914: Auferstehung, Allerheiligen II, Rudern, and Apokalyptischer Reiter II. Kandinsky showed several of his reverse glass paintings in exhibitions alongside paintings on canvas and cardboard, indicating that he viewed these techniques as equally important. He continued to use this technique during his stays in Moscow and Paris. Other modern artists who have created artworks using reverse glass painting include Marsden Hartley, Rebecca Salsbury James, and Thomas Gainsborough.
In Folk Art
In the 19th century, reverse glass painting was widely popular as folk art in Austria, Bavaria, Bohemia, Moravia, and Slovakia. This traditional "naive" technique experienced a decline during the inter-war period (1914-1945) but was later revived with new methods combining acrylic and oil paints.
In Decorative Art
Reverse glass painting has been used in decorative art, particularly in China, where it was first mentioned in an inventory of gifts for Emperor Qianlong in 1722. Chinese motifs, flowers, birds, and trees were painted on the reverse side of mirrors, adding a layer of personalisation and addressing the Mandrin society's uncertainty about mirrors as windows to another world that could trap images.
In Museums
The Vitromusée Museum in Switzerland is dedicated to the art of reverse glass painting and other glass-related arts. The museum presents a collection of over 1000 reverse glass paintings assembled by Frieder Raiser and his wife, Ruth.
In DIY and Crafting
Reverse glass painting is also accessible to hobbyists and DIY enthusiasts, with instructional guides available online. Supplies such as multi-surface acrylic paint, glass, frames, and gilding size can be easily sourced from craft stores and big box stores.
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Frequently asked questions
Painting on the back of glass is called reverse glass painting, back painted glass, or glass painting.
The painting is done on the opposite side of the glass, following a reverse succession of layers of paint, with the frontmost layer applied first and the background layer applied last.
One of the main challenges of reverse glass painting is determining how the layers are applied. The final result must be well thought out before starting the piece, and each layer applied must be considered.
Four of Wassily Kandinsky's works show more than two layers of applied paint that vary in thickness. Thomas Gainsborough also painted several landscapes on glass panels using the cold painting technique.
The art of painting on glass dates back to Roman times and was heavily used in the Middle Ages and Renaissance for the production of religious objects. In the 19th and 20th centuries, China had a significant influence on the medium, with artists like Gabriel Münter and Franz Marc creating works inspired by Chinese art.
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