Vitrine

Vitrine

A vitrine is a glass cabinet or showcase that displays artworks.

The word 'vitrine' comes from the Old French word 'vitre,' meaning 'pane of glass,' which itself is derived from the Latin word 'vitrum,' meaning 'glass.' Besides 'vitrine,' 'vitrum' has contributed several words to the English language. 'Vitreous,' meaning 'resembling glass' or 'related to, derived from, or consisting of glass,' is one such word.

Another is 'vitrify,' meaning 'to convert or become converted into glass or into a glassy substance by heat and fusion.' Another less common word, 'vitrailed,' meaning 'fitted with stained glass,' has also entered English through 'vitre.'


Other words in the glossary


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Parra's studio, with Parra at the centre, his back to the camera as he works on the large painting takes centre stage, showing a faceless blue woman in a striped dress, painted in red, purple, blue and teal. The studio is full of brightly coloured paints, with a large window on the right and a patterned rug across the floor under the painting.