Vitraux Pl. 88 Circa 1850

"Vitraux Pl. 88" is a circa 1850 original chromolithograph, a stunning example of mid-19th-century decorative arts printing. This plate comes from an important series devoted to vitraux (stained glass), showcasing elaborate design templates intended for ecclesiastical or noble interior decoration during the height of the Gothic Revival movement in Europe.

Printed by the esteemed house of Engelmann & Graf, located at 12 Rue de l’Abbaye, Paris, and distributed in London by J. Barnard & Son, this print exemplifies the high technical and aesthetic standards of chromolithography during the period—a time when the medium was revolutionizing the reproduction of color in fine art and architectural illustration.

The artwork features a richly ornate medallion-style stained glass design, centered around a grisaille depiction of a cherub, rendered in classical pose and enclosed within an intricate cartouche of interlacing acanthus scrolls, gilded foliage, and geometric ornaments. The overall palette is opulent: deep cobalt blue serves as a dramatic background, enhancing the burnished golds, silvers, and blacks of the design.

Designs such as this were used not only for inspiration by glass painters and church decorators, but also for collectors and patrons interested in the revival of medieval and Renaissance aesthetics. Each plate in the series reflects the intersection of craftsmanship, historicism, and modern printing technology.

As a standalone work, "Vitraux Pl. 88" is both decorative and historically significant—a window into the visual imagination of the 19th century, when craftsmanship and ornament were elevated to high art.

A rare and visually striking example of 19th-century chromolithographic artistry.

Chromolithography

Religion - Architecture

London J. Barnard & Son

Printed by R. Engelmann in Paris

Good condition, minor tears