Original artwork description:

"Mater Dolorosa" is a Romanian traditional icons painted on glass ( reverse side technique) with hand painted wooden frame.
Theme inspired by the New Testament depicts the Virgin Mary dressed in black cloak, bending over the cross that Jesus is crucified on. With hands folded in prayer our Lady watches in tiers at the cross. She's shown with no aura. To Her left Jesus is pictured at a smaller scale than Her. The scene is dramatic.
Background is decorated with a garland of flowers, oversized. Colors: black, white, orange, green, brown, yellow, gray, gold.

Painting icons on glass is a traditional Romanian form of art. Folk icons on glass are painted on the reverse side of the glass. First, the outlines are drawn with black ink. Then each area is filled with tempera or oil colors. This has been a Romanian folk tradition since the 18th century. In our villages, the knowledge is passed from one generation to another, from parents to children. Many artists remain anonymous. These icons are primitive, colorful, glamorous - and very modern as a plastic conception.
A „definition” of the glass icon says that it has to be done according to a model (izvod). It usually has no anatomical proportions, but balanced chromatic patterns . The models currently used are 200-300 years old.
The writing is Cyrillic. There are several elements of a typical icon on glass: it represents a character or more, the remaining space is bordered with flowers, rope or stars.

Materials used:

glass, wood, oil colors, acrylic, gloss varnish for wood, gold leaf, hanger

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