Moses And Aaron Before Pharaoh, Reverse-glass Painting, Original Frame. XVII Secolo

Period: Second half of the 17th century – early 18th century, before circa 1720
Origin: Northern or Central Europe
Subject: Old Testament – Moses and Aaron Before Pharaoh, Book of Exodus
Technique: Reverse-glass painting
Frame: Original wood and ebony frame, Louis XIV period
Glass: Intact, without breaks
Dimensions with frame: approx. 23 × 19 cm
Visible dimensions: approx. 18 × 14 cm

Small-format reverse-glass painting depicting Moses and Aaron before Pharaoh, an episode from the Book of Exodus.

The biblical episode is transposed into a rich Baroque interior, articulated by columns, ample draperies and a chequered floor. On the right, the crowned Pharaoh is seated upon an imposing carved and gilded wooden throne, surrounded by his dignitaries. The precise rendering of the figures and the careful treatment of anatomy and gesture reveal a particularly meticulous execution.

The composition appears to derive from engraved models or illustrations from biblical books, widely circulated during the 17th and early 18th centuries. The treatment of the figures also suggests an indirect influence of the Italian tradition, most likely transmitted through prints.

The work retains its remarkable original wood and ebony frame, dating from the Louis XIV period, composed of successive black mouldings and particularly well proportioned to the small format of the painting.

Condition: the glass is intact and without breaks. Some localized lifting and small losses to the paint layer are present, consistent with the age and inherent fragility of reverse-glass painting, without affecting the overall legibility of the composition. The polychromy retains a remarkable freshness. The original frame shows normal signs of age and minor imperfections consistent with its period.