Studio RT Ltd

Description

We are pleased to offer this Art Nouveau Crystoleum of a young maiden with flowing red hair, dressed in pale pink draperies, swinging on the branch of a flowering cherry tree in full bloom.

Crystoleums were made during the late Victorian and Edwardian period, circa 1890-1910 and used a process whereby a photographic print was laid onto the inside of a piece of convex glass, the backing removed from the photograph, leaving the emulsion on the back of the glass. The photograph was then made transparent by the application of oil or wax. The fine detail of the picture was then executed with paint by a fine brush. After this, a second piece of convex glass was added to the back, not quite touching the first, upon which the broaded patches of colour were painted. The two pieces of glass were then attached at the outside edge. When the artist was satisfied with the final result, a piece of white card was added to the back and the whole picture was then framed.

Due to the fragile nature of crystoleums, many did not survive the passage of time.

The crystoleum is in entirely original condition and is framed in a black composition frame with scrolled inner edge, and silver gilt slip, 3 1/8" in total. It is ready to hang.