Goldgrund

gold ground (in medieval panel painting)

noun GOLT-groont Rare

Usage Note

Goldgrund is the gilded background characteristic of medieval Byzantine and Gothic panel paintings, symbolising the divine realm. Goldgrundmalerei flourished in the 13th–15th centuries. Masculine noun.

Examples

"Die Heiligenfiguren hoben sich leuchtend vom glänzenden Goldgrund ab."

Natural Translation

The holy figures stood out luminously against the gleaming gold ground.

Literal Translation

The holy-figures lifted themselves luminously from the gleaming gold-ground.

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