Northern Illinois University
Art Museum
College of Visual and Performing Arts

Vanishing Art from Myanmar:
The Buddhist Reverse Glass Painting Tradition
North and Hallcase Galleries

Explores the complex Buddhist tradition as it is revealed through the work of some artists from the last village in Burma dedicated to the reverse glass painting technique and tradition known since the art form’s introduction to the region in the 18th century.

Curated by Dr. Catherine Raymond, Director, Center for Burma Studies and Professor of Art History and presented in conjunction with the International Symposium "Looking Through The Glass: The Asian Reverse Glass Painting Traditions” on November 16, 2018.

Raymond’s research was funded by a Rakow Grant from the Corning Museum of Glass in Corning, NY.

Image right: Nat U Min Kyaw (Lord Gambler) from Pakhan Kyi and his Companion Mr. Brown.
Artist Soe Aung (Syriam, Myanmar); Late 20th century, Burma/Myanmar; Glass, enamel paint, metallic foil; (19.25" x 15.25 in.). Burma Art Collection. BC2017.01.18.

Ambrotypes: Photographs on Glass
Hallcase Gallery

Explores the original, unique photographic images produced on glass plates during the 19th century.

The ambrotypes on view here are examples of a short-lived photographic process widely popular by the 1860s, but by the end of the American Civil War they were replaced by the tintype and later paper photographs. Ambrotypes offered a simpler development process using less expensive glass plates that were easier to produce with faster processing times which effectively made studio portraits much more affordable.