Framing History: A Study of the Craftsmanship of Picture Frames
Marissa Lupkas | Art and Object | 7th March 2025
One might think the sole purpose of a frame is to protect the artwork. Not entirely – for most of art history frames have also performed real aesthetic work. Sometimes frames create a “border between the real and the imagined”. Sometimes they perform a decorative function. Perhaps most importantly, they can provide an “emotional and spiritual invitation” to the viewer to embrace the painted scene. But the golden rule remains: don’t compete with the painting.