David before the city of Ziklag
Tyrol, 17th C.
Moulded glass panel painted on reverse in opaque and transparent pigments against grey paper ground. With a reattached breakage to the lower left corner. Ebonised softwood frame, H 25.5, W 30.8 cm.
This reverse glass painting reproduces a mirror image of an engraving by the Flemish painter and engraver Egidius Sadeler (1570 – 1629), who in turn based his work on an image by the painter Maerten de Vos (1532 - 1603) from Antwerp.
The work depicts a scene from King David's campaign against the Amalekites (Samuel 1 30). The Amalekites had conquered the city of Ziklag, burnt it to the ground and captured the women and children. Although both of his wives were also abducted, David had to justify himself before his people. In desperation he turned to God, who told him he should pursue the Amalekites because he would overtake them and free the prisoners.
Less than half a dozen Tyrolese reverse glass paintings from the 17th century are known to exist. This piece is particularly noteworthy as it was inspired by a Flemish, rather than an Italian, motif.
Provenance
Private collection, Landshut.
Literature
Illus. in Steiner, Eleganz in Glanz, in: Barock-Berichte 42/43/ 2005, illus. 10, p. 774.
Illus. in Geyssant, Peintures sous verre. Eglomisés fixés et estampes sous verre de l'antiquité à nos jours, Paris 2008, p. 45.
Illus. in Steiner, Verborgene Schätze – Tiroler Hinterglasmalerei 1550 - 1850, Brixen 2009, illus. 23.
Illus. in Steiner, ... eine andere Art von Malerey. Hinterglasgemälde und ihre Vorlagen 1550 - 1850, Berlin-Munich 2012, illus. 105.
Illus. in Trepesch (ed.) Hinterglaskunst aus Europa. Festschrift für Wolfgang Steiner, Augsburg 2013, p. 59.
Exhibitions
2005 - 2006 "Eleganz in Glanz", Barockmuseum Salzburg.
2009 - 2010 Diözesanmuseum Hofburg Brixen.
2012 Schaezlerpalais der Kunstsammlungen und Museen Augsburg.