Hinterglasmalerei

reverse glass painting

noun HIN-ter-glas-mah-le-rye Rare

Usage Note

Hinterglasmalerei is the technique of painting on the back of a glass pane, so the image is viewed through the glass from the front. It produces vivid colours due to the reflective backing and was popular in folk art (Volkskunst) across Bavaria and Bohemia.

Examples

"Die Hinterglasmalerei war im bayerischen Raum eine verbreitete Form religiöser Volkskunst."

Natural Translation

Reverse glass painting was a widespread form of religious folk art in the Bavarian region.

Literal Translation

The reverse-glass-painting was in the Bavarian area a widespread form of religious folk-art.

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