Exploring Art Framing Styles
Explore the world of Artistic Framing options that could elevate your Art Collection
Embark on a journey through fine art framing styles that exude timeless grace and elegance. This selection offers a glimpse into the world of artistic framing options, each tailored to make your art collection truly yours, whether you seek classical elegance, subtle nuances, archival preservation, or innovative presentation.
The Window Mount and Frame: Timeless Grace
Our journey begins with a simple Window Mount and Frame —a classic choice that not only preserves the archival integrity of your artwork by keeping it separated from the glass but also exudes enduring elegance. Observe, for instance, this 1970s etching by John Olsen, tastefully framed in Victorian ash, showcasing the kind of refinement that will have you "laughing" at how effortlessly it enhances your work of art.
Adding a touch of Elegance with a Double Mount
In the realm of art, there are moments when even the most graceful works yearn for an additional touch of sophistication. Enter the Double Mount—a simple, yet striking way to add a dash of panache to your cherished piece. Consider this captivating work by Charles Blackman, Hand and Bird, as an exquisite example. Here, the Double Mount adds a touch of elegance and elevates the art with added grace.
Charles Blackman Untitled (Hand and Bird)
Dreamscapes in the Frame: Discover the Power of a 'Slip'
For an artwork seeking added flair, a 'slip' – a small, narrow frame or liner nestled within a larger one – can work wonders. This technique creates visual separation between the artwork and its larger frame, providing extra interest and lending a polished look to the piece. Take, for instance, James Gleeson's striking surreal collage, The Beginning of Man. With its double mount and sleek silver 'slip,' the presentation adds a touch of refinement to the surreal composition.
James Gleeson Untitled (The Beginning of Man)
Raising the Bar with a Raised Double Mount
If you desire to add an extra layer of intrigue while maintaining a minimalist aesthetic, consider the use of a raised double mount. This technique creates a three-dimensional effect within a framed piece of art by placing spacers or mat boards of varying thicknesses between the work of art and the mount. Unlike a standard flat or flush-mounted mount, this method introduces a visible space or gap between the work of art and the mat. The result is a recessed or layered appearance, which adds depth and dimension.
Mirka Mora's Girl and Love Chair beautifully exemplifies this concept, with both the framing style and the subject drawing you into its captivating world.
Mirka Mora Girl and Love Chair
The Art of Shadow Boxing: Drawn into the Depths of Drama
Looking for depth and drama? 'Shadow boxing' achieves just that, elegantly demonstrated in the presentation of John Olsen's Life Drawn towards the Void. Here, the etching is window-mounted and skillfully shadow boxed, setting the artwork back about 2 cm from the glass in order to draw the viewer deeper into the intriguing landscape.
John Olsen Life Drawn Towards the Void
Floating Art for an "Eye-Catching" Effect
On occasions when the edges of your artwork reveal their unique allure, consider ‘floating’ the work of art, raising it about 5 mm above the mat, and box framing it to yield an "eye-catching" effect. When you float art within a box frame, the space between the art and the mat allows for the formation of intriguing shadows, adding depth and dimension to the piece.
Robert Jacks Fall Obliquely Against the Lamp Light
Elevate with Materials like Museum Board and Artglass
Regular mount boards are sound and have continued to improve over the years. There are occasions however when you may contemplate elevating the archival quality of your framing, particularly for high-calibre artworks. This is where premium museum-grade archival mount boards excel, providing exceptional preservation and protection. While they do involve an additional investment, they serve as the optimal choice when you aspire to go beyond the standard, ensuring your art remains impeccably preserved in the long term, aligning with the highest professional standards, as the name implies.
The rare original 1953 monotype, Abstract Figures, by Charles Blackman is the kind of work that deserves museum board, while its smaller size makes the relative cost of the premium material quite reasonable.
Charles Blackman Untitled (Abstract Figures)
When it comes to framing, regular glass is generally suitable for most works of art. However, there's a specific situation where we strongly recommend considering artglass – and that is when you're dealing with very dark works of art. In these instances, reflections can be particularly pronounced, and artglass excels at minimising them. This is especially crucial for works like Tamara Dean's The Edge and advisable for works like Charles Blackman's dark-hued Striated Lines. Artglass ensures that these reflections won't obscure your appreciation of these pieces.
Beyond its exceptional ability to reduce reflections, artglass is highly regarded for its ability to provide up to 70% UV protection, effectively shielding your art from the perils of UV-induced fading and material deterioration. This feature can be pertinent when displaying artwork in sun-lit environments. While selecting artglass involves an additional investment, its enhanced protection makes it a superior choice for fine art connoisseurs.
Charles Blackman Striated lines
Revealing Hidden Signatures
Artists, such as Sidney Nolan often leave their signatures on the reverse of their work. To make authentication effortless without disturbing the work of art, we've perfected the art of creating a window in the back.
Sidney Nolan Untitled (Prometheus)
Paintings on Canvas: To frame or not to frame?
When it comes to works of art on canvas, sometimes less is more. For example, Auguste Blackman's Memory, with its sides painted black, exudes simple yet exquisite style.
Philippe Le Miere's Kelly on Collins showcases one of our preferred canvas presentation styles. It accentuates the canvas's edges by stretching it over a wooden stretcher frame and inserting the painting into an L-shaped frame, creating a subtle gap that makes the work of art appear to "float" within the frame. This approach delivers a modern, minimalist presentation with a contemporary feel.
Philippe Le Miere Kelly on Collins
Framing: A World of Artistic Options
These represent just a glimpse of the many framing styles and techniques at your disposal, each aimed at making your art collection truly yours. Whether your quest is for classical elegance, subtle nuances, archival preservation, or innovative presentation, our expertise is at your service to unlock the full potential of your cherished works of art.
Angelo in his Hawthorn workshop making beautiful frames
Let Us Bring Your Art to Life
If you're considering framing your works of art, we're here to assist you every step of the way. Your art doesn't need to be a purchase from us; we're excited to enhance your art collection regardless. We eagerly await the opportunity to collaborate with you. Should you have inquiries or wish to explore these framing options further, please don't hesitate to reach out to us. Your artistic vision is our shared passion.