Glass painting is one of the most attractive art form with innumerable techniques followed. Glass painting gives the presence of a fairy-tale. It is also been referred to as a glass art or stained glass. Glass art amplifies its beauty when the light passes through it. Painting is been a mode of expression and creativity. Glass is one of the best mediums which can be used in contemporary and abstract art. The usage of glass in a painting as a base like a canvas for painting is majorly transformed and developed from the time it has existed in style, purpose and technique.
Glass painting was introduced a way long back in twelth century in Gothic period. Cathedrals across Europe exhibited large and intricate glass paintings. Previously small pieces of glass were stain painted which in later transformed into mosaic from of art. Stained glass were made by adding of metallic salt colors in manufacture of glass. Ancient Rome and China were the places where reverse glass painting existed earlier. Reverse Glass Painting was one of the forms of glass painting previously followed. In reverse glass painting the image opt for painting is painted from the details to the base color, like painting the embellishment first and the base later. This kind of painting can be viewed only by turning over the other side of the glass. This form of painting is originated in traditional Romanian icons of Transylvania. Austria, Bavaria, Moravia, Byzantium, Bohemia and Slovakia are some of the places were painting on glass was popular as folk art. Glass paintings are said to be a sacral paintings in middle Ages. Later at the time of Renaissance in Venice, Italy glass painting was largely followed and it flourished all over Europe. We can also evidence the glass paintings done in old churches and houses now also.
Churches were first to implement the glass paintings over the huge glass windows with the illustrations of Christ and depictions of Bible characters. The narration of the Christ life and his teachings were painted on glass brilliantly. The paint stained glasses of church were adored and enjoyed by people. People started getting stained glass art into their homes with various designs which embellished the presence of home. Which later the idea grew of implementing it on utensils, windows and on various things. Artisans used pale colors in painting the glass because of its soft presence and translucent character.
Glass painting was adopted by other countries and were renovated according to their ideologies. In India, glass painting reflected symbolic and cultural attributes. Mythological figures and women in traditional clothes were depicted more in Indian glass painting. At the time of twentieth century the world demanded for more exploration and variety of artistic expressions using glass. It is no longer only a hobby to paint but also it has emerged in various techniques for decorating the house and office with the help of new technology. Subjects like Architecture, Design and Art enormously use glass painting. Likewise Mrs. Sangeetha Kamesh from Vellore, Tamil Nadu practices this form of art. Artisan built this art has her hobby in a free time at home by surfing on internet source like YouTube which gave her enormous joy and interest. Artisan heals from an art background family. Her father weaves traditional Arani silk saree which influenced her into art. Most of her paintings carry a floral design which decors the area where it is displaced in, an image of the deities and many other subjects. Artisan not only does glass painting but also practices many other forms of art like knitting, garland making and crochet. Artisan also sales her paintings through online services like Olx and Quikr.com with the help and support of her husband Mr. Kamesh and Family.