Paire de cristallins victoriens. Tableau officiel huile sur verre, ménestrel et demoiselles de chambre Reverso

Pair of Victorian Crystoleums.

Crystoleums are Reverso Oil Paintings On Glass.

One Crystoleum is showing a young Minstrel Stricken By a young Maid. Their faces say it all, while other young women are sitting on the chairs and seem to be poking fun at the minstrel.

The other Shows the same minstrel in the village square, playing a mandolin, with young women watching and listening, some while doing their sewing.

Crystoleum: From “crystal” + “oleum” (oil), was a photographic format which appeared in the 1880s and 1890s and enjoyed a period of popularity which lasted until the Great War.

The process of crystoleum was a method of applying colour to an albumen print which was then pasted face down to the inside of a concave piece of glass. Once the adhesive (usually starch paste or gelatine) was dry, the paper backing of the print was rubbed away, leaving only the transparent emulsion on the glass. The image was then coloured by hand, using oil paints. Another piece of glass was added to the back and this could also be coloured by hand. Both pieces of glass were bound together creating a detailed, albeit fragile, image. The process was derived from the 18th century mezzotint process.

Not many of these fragile crystoleum pictures have survived.

Condition. The Crystoleum is in good condition, no faults found. The frame is wood and plaster and has some age related use nicks marks. Please inspect all my photographs carefully as they are part of the description.

Measurements approximately:

Each framed:

29cm x 35cm (11.1/2” x 13.3/4”)

Actual picture approximately: 

19cm x 24.5cm (7” x 9.3/4”)

If you have any queries please don't hesitate to contact me.