Suzanne Smeaton Frame Historian & Consultant

The new frame is a series of flats and angles that move in toward the picture plane and leads the eye inward. The steps in the frame profile enhance the lines in the composition and the silver gilded surface allows our eye to linger over the more complex areas of the painting rather focusing on the black lines. The new frame was created with an extra space so that appropriate glazing could be added to protect the surface- and important consideration when framing artwork that contains paper collage elements.

Robert Motherwell Gauloises. Modern black molding and no glazing to protect the collage elements in the artwork. The frame floats the painting allowing all edges to be exposed and the silver surface of the float area sets the painting off clearly.