Mirror
1870
Medium
Walnut, glass, and gilding
Dimensions
45.8 × 41.3 × 3.9 cm (18 × 16 1/4 × 1 1/2 in.)
Classification
mirror
Department
Applied Arts of Europe
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
146865
Art Historical Context
Nestled in the Art Institute of Chicago's Department of Applied Arts of Europe *Mirror* (1870) by Carlo Bartolozzi exemplifies the exquisite craftsmanship of late 19th-century decorative arts. Crafted from rich walnut wood, reflective glass, and intricate gilding, this piece measures 45.8 × 41.3 × 3.9 cm, making it ideal for a mantel or dressing table. The walnut provides a warm, durable frame, while the gilding—likely applied gold leaf—adds a luxurious shimmer, elevating a functional object into a work of art. Created during a period of revival styles in Europe, Bartolozzi's mirror reflects ...