Portrait Framed

A Brief History of Picture Frames

Picture frames have been utilized to enhance, display, or protect two-dimensional pieces of visual art. One of the earliest picture frames was discovered in an Egyptian tomb dating from the 2nd century AD. A Fayum mummy portrait in a wooden frame was discovered at a burial site in Hawara. Archeologists believe that the wooden frame suggests the portrait was hung in the owner’s home prior to burial. This finding suggests that picture frames were probably commonly used to display panel art in the past.

 

Decorative framing borders were often used to divide scenes in ancient Egyptian and Greek wall paintings. However, the first authentic picture frames produced in the early modern era appeared in the small panel paintings of 12th and 13th century Europe. Framed panel paintings were often produced in one piece. The area to be painted was carved out, leaving a raised border. The whole piece was then gessoed and gilded. Painting the image on the flat panel was the last thing to be accomplished.

 

Over time, artisans and artists came to realize that this method of production was too costly. A more efficient method was developed which involved the use of mitred molding strips. These strips were added to the panel after the painting was finished.

 

Most frames were church-commissioned and often unmovable throughout the High Middle Ages and Renaissance period. Most triple picture frames were part of elaborate altar pieces. However, the Renaissance saw the rise of art patrons outside the church such as wealthy nobles and bankers. The Medici family commissioned artists to produce allegorical, devotional, and portrait paintings that needed portable frames.

 

As time progressed, portable and movable triple picture frames were developed and were designed by furniture builders rather than artists, sculptors, and architects. Picture frames reached their zenith in 17th century France under the influence of Rococo and Baroque art. Elaborate ribbons, leaves, and other such embellishments were carved onto the borders of pictures frames.

 

In Eastern Orthodox countries, icons and other holy images were often housed inside costly and elaborate sister picture frames, often made of gold leaf and enamel. These frames are intricately designed to highlight the importance of the portraits their display.

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