Wreath of Flowers with Birds and Daguerreotype of Child1855–186516 5/8 × 18 3/4"Reverse painting and foil on glass with daguerreotype in stamped brass matGift of Mr. and Mrs. Day Krolik Jr.1979.3.10Hand-colored photograph in stamped-brass mat mounted behind glass. Surrounded by tinsel-painted border of trailing leaves and flowers on white background; golden bird all four corners, facing left. Wood backing.152273102Artist unidentifiedPaintingsThe American Folk Art Museum believes this work to be in the public domain. United StatesPaintingsPAINTINGSTinsel painting, sometimes referred to as "Oriental, pearl or crystal painting" was a techniques of reverse painting on glass with areas left unpainted. These blank areas were then backed with foil, mother of pearl, mica and other reflective materials to give a shimmery air to the composition. The background was then filled in with an opaque paint--usually black--but sometimes white, or even blue. Tinsel painting became popular after the middle of the nineteenth century as a leisure art for Victorian women. Patterns were offered through many ofthe ladies' magazines such as Peterson's.still lifeTinsel paintings often display strong regional characteristics. The design of the wreath and birds in this painting relates to motifs found on Pennsylvania German fraktur. The lively execution provides a counterpoint to the muted daguerreotype image.Lee Kogan, "Wreath of Flowers with Birds and Daguerreotype of Child," exhibition label for FOILED: Tinsel Painting in America. Lee Kogan, curator. New York: American Folk Art Museum, 2012-2013. Object information is a work in progress and may be updated with new research. Records are reviewed and revised, and the American Folk Art Museum welcomes additional information. To help improve this record, please email photoservices@folkartmuseum.org 18551865 1979 3 1 PAINTINGSTinsel painting, sometimes referred to as "Oriental, pearl or crystal painting" was a techniques of reverse painting on glass with areas left unpainted. These blank areas were then backed with foil, mother of pearl, mica and other reflective materials to give a shimmery air to the composition. The background was then filled in with an opaque paint--usually black--but sometimes white, or even blue. Tinsel painting became popular after the middle of the nineteenth century as a leisure art for Victorian women. Patterns were offered through many ofthe ladies' magazines such as Peterson's.still lifeTinsel paintings often display strong regional characteristics. The design of the wreath and birds in this painting relates to motifs found on Pennsylvania German fraktur. The lively execution provides a counterpoint to the muted daguerreotype image.Lee Kogan, "Wreath of Flowers with Birds and Daguerreotype of Child," exhibition label for FOILED: Tinsel Painting in America. Lee Kogan, curator. New York: American Folk Art Museum, 2012-2013. Object information is a work in progress and may be updated with new research. Records are reviewed and revised, and the American Folk Art Museum welcomes additional information. To help improve this record, please email photoservices@folkartmuseum.org