The Annunciation
Paris, 1661
Glass panel painted on reverse in eglomisé technique with gold and silver powder and opaque and transparent pigments against black ground. Signed in gold below: "Philbert. Des. crajpiers. Paris. 1661", dated a second time in the upper centre "1661". Retouches in the red on the left and the blue on the right. Oakwood frame carved and gilded over red bole, H 52.5, W 46.5 cm.
This important museum-quality painting is the only known signed and dated French reverse glass painting from the 17th century. The work reproduces a reversed version of an engraving by Marco Dente (around 1490 - 1527) after a lost drawing by Raphael. No details are known about the painter of this work, but he was a great master in both technique and painting.
1661 was an important year for France. Following the death of Cardinal Mazarin on 9th March, the young Louis XIV ascended the throne. He reshuffled the government, appointing Jean-Baptiste Colbert to be his finance minister and most trusted advisor. At the end of the year on 1st November, the crown prince Louis was born. He was heir to the throne, but never assumed this role, as the young Louis died before his father.
Provenance
Auctioned by Thierry de Maigret, Paris, June 2011.
Art market, Strasbourg.
Literature
Illus. in Steiner, ... eine andere Art von Malerey. Hinterglasgemälde und ihre Vorlagen 1550 - 1850, Berlin-Munich 2012, illus. 111.
Illus. in Trepesch (ed.) Hinterglaskunst aus Europa. Festschrift für Wolfgang Steiner, Augsburg 2013, p. 61.
Exhibitions
2012 Schaezlerpalais der Kunstsammlungen und Museen Augsburg.