Antiques M.S. Rau | Micromosaic Plaque Of Courting Scene

A Friar Stares Disapprovingly At The Gentlemen Overtly Flirting With A Lady In This Rare, Humorous And Marvelously Constructed Italian Micromosaic Plaque. The Amusing Scene, Influenced By Genre Painters Of The Dutch Golden Age, Offers An Intrinsic Charm And Wit. Stunning Objets D’Art, Micromosaics Such As This Were Created By Gifted Artisans As Mementos For Wealthy Patrons Taking Their Grand Tour Of Europe: The Once-Requisite Rite Of Passage For Young Gentlemen Of The Upper Class. This Work Is Composed Of Thousands Of Tiny Glass Tiles, Or Tesserae, Painstakingly Placed Upon A Black Marble Backing To Exacting Measures, Creating An Illusionary Effect.

Micromosaics Trace Their Origins To Ancient Rome, Where The Artworks Were Renowned For Their Intricate Beauty And Complexity. These Works Utilized Tiny Glass And Stone Tesserae To Create Highly Detailed Images, Effectively Creating What We Now Know As The Art Form Of Micromosaic. In 19Th-Century Italy, The Art Of Micromosaic Resurfaced, Particularly In The Workshops Of The Vatican. Wealthy Aristocrats Traveling Through Italy On Their Grand Tour Were Particularly Enamored With These Exquisite Works. The Creation Of Micromosaics Was A Costly Endeavor, Requiring Not Only Precious Materials But Also Highly Skilled Craftsmen. As Such, Authentic 19Th-Century Micromosaics Such As This Piece Are Exceedingly Rare And Were Only Available To The Wealthiest European Tourists.

Circa 1860

10 7/8″ High X 13″ Wide X 5/8″ Deep