Art speaks for itself and is self-sufficient. Nevertheless, framing also plays a crucial role in its appropriate presentation. A frame can accentuate, enhance, focus, and direct attention.
Reason enough to deal with this topic in detail as an artist, gallery owner or art collector.
Canvas art on a stretcher frame
Let's start with the most basic way of preparing a work of art for hanging: stretching a canvas onto a stretcher frame—usually made of wood, but in rare cases, plastic or metal. Excellent-quality frames are made of spruce or fir.
A wedge frame is nothing more than a simple clamping frame for painting grounds like a canvas. It consists of four strips that are sawn at miter. The canvas is fixed with brackets on the rear surfaces of the strips. The tension can be determined yourself as desired.
The groin height defines the depth of the wedge frame . When choosing the groin thickness, you should consider whether the painting should also be put into an artificial frame. If the frame is too thick (usually from a depth of 4.5 cm), a piece of the image could survive. A simple, double or even triple cross can be attached for additional stability. Small wedges provide an extra portion at the corners and can adjust the voltage a little.
Wedge frames are already fully covered (often already primed) in artist needs shops or available as a kit for clamping yourself. They are available in a wide variety of sizes, shapes and types of wood.
These versatile wooden frames are indispensable in the world of art and have a long tradition. They have been known in our realms since the late Middle Ages. At that time they displaced the ancient panel painting that was widespread until then.
The most famous example of a canvas painting created on a stretcher is the Mona Lisa by Leonardo Da Vinci .
Picture frame / art female for wedge frame paintings

Photo by Jonny Caspari @jonnysplsh, via unsplash
Many pictures have a completely impact on their effects without further frame. Here is less and another art female, which reinstates the picture, is not necessary.
In contrast, a well -chosen artificial frame can cleverly upgrade many work and only really put it in the spotlight.
Regardless of style and effect, there are a number of basic things to consider when choosing a suitable framework. For example, we take the peculiarity of a wedge frame that, in contrast to flat substrates such as paper, cardboard, poster or photographs, brings a depth of usually 1 to 4 cm.
Thus, commercially available photo and picture frames, which are primarily intended for these formats. For wedge frame paintings there are special picture frames with various depth profiles and in a wide variety of formats.
Art and decorative frames for art paintings are also from different materials and the styles also range from minimalist designs to opulent and heavy baroque frames.
Another fundamental difference to photo frames is that artificial frames are usually only borders of the paintings, i.e. only contain them on the sides.
In contrast to conventional picture frames, there is neither glass or a plastic layer in front of the picture nor a back wall behind it. These so -called empty frames are ideal for the vast majority of the works of art.
While the wood of the wedge frame, the edges, the corners are protected and stabilized, the painting can continue to "breathe" at the same time. This plays a major role in oil and acrylic paints.
An optical advantage is that the characteristic structure of the canvas can come into its own.
Frame can be classified according to criteria such as material, epochs / styles, or their function. A rough division may be done as follows:
Types of picture frames
Wooden frame
Wood images stand for the classic variant and are ideal for stylishly furnished interiors. Wood frames can be found for almost every taste and scores with their versatility, sustainability and value.
They are not only available in different profiles, widths and formats, but also in various characteristics, such as a solid wood frame with impact metal surface, with rounded pages, carved notches, elaborate ornaments and decorations, as preserved, provided with patina, with gold edge, etc.
Subtle, naturally held or brightly painted wooden frames are ideal for modern, minimalist fins such as the popular One Line Drawings.

Photo by Serafima Lazarenko @Koritsa.jewerly, via Unsplash

Photo by Sincerely Media @Sincerelymedia, via unsplash
Aluminum frame
Sometimes less is more - this does not only apply to the minimalists among us. Aluminum frames are committed to this principle, which are particularly suitable for a subtle and simple border.
Aluminum frames are light and extremely robust picture frames from the light metal aluminum.
This material gives them a modern look with a subtle elegance, making them the perfect choice for functional and design-oriented interiors such as commercial spaces and offices.
Aluminum frames are also available in all sizes and colors, as well as custom-made fire-resistant or snap frames. This makes them true all-rounders.
Plastic frame
Plastic can be brought into every conceivable shape inexpensively and there are no limits here even with the colors. Plastic image frames are therefore the affordable alternative for the small budget.
Despite the inexpensive material, these frames do not have to look cheap. In fact, these frames often look very modern and fit some pictures better than their more expensive siblings.
In particular, works from the styles of the 20th and 21st centuries such as Pop Art , Urban Art or Minimalism as well as abstract works of art in different facets feel extremely comfortable in a suitable plastic frame.
Baroque frame
The baroque solid wood frame, with its opulent decorations and sometimes even a metal-leaf surface, presents itself as the counterpart to all minimalist designs.
With their optical force, baroque images have a strong effect. They therefore offer an excellent way to set special accents when setting up an interior or interior.
In addition to the pure baroque frames, there are so-called antique and style frames. Baroque frames can be seen on the round and carved shapes, which give them an expansive appearance. Anti frame as a special form is usually kept in gold -colored design or with an elaborate patina.
Baroque frames are not only suitable for luxurious and opulent interiors, but also for modern interior design trends such as the reinterpretation of Art Deco.
Even some style mixes or deliberate style breaks can be wonderfully accomplished with such a frame.
Oval frame
Oval picture frames are particularly popular for framing portraits and family photos. Ovale - as well as circles - symbolize uniformity, they radiate calm and unity.
Oval frames focus on the viewer's attention to the middle of the surrounded motif, in a stabilizing and relaxing way.
They always exude a touch of nostalgia with a hint of romance. Oval frames – usually traditionally made of wood – reached their peak during the Biedermeier period (roughly between 1815 and 1850). Almost a century later, they experienced a renaissance, then before, during, and after the First World War (e.g., in the "Roaring Twenties"), as well as during the dark years of World War II.
In today's times, oval frames experience another revival. But now they are no longer only made of wood, but also made of plastic or metal.
Mirrors frame
Framed Mirrors mirrors add a special flair to any interior. Thanks in no small part to major interior trends like the urban jungle and indoor garden, opulent and artfully framed Mirrors in all shapes and sizes are experiencing a renaissance.
They're typically found in hallways, entrance areas, wardrobes, or bedrooms . They also make small apartments appear larger, and when combined with plants, they create a very specific atmosphere.
In principle, any decorative frame can be used for a Mirrors frame. As a rule, however, high -quality crystal glass and wide baroque frame or anti -frame are particularly used for large -format Mirrors n. So you bring the splendor of the past to life again.
Mirrors frame can be found either as a wall mirrors or to put it. Especially in old building apartments with high ceilings and stucco, pomp with mirrors frame leaning on the wall are very excellent.
Fire protection frame
With this special genus, the name already reveals the purpose. Fire protection frames are always used when special legal requirements for fire protection are to be met. You can therefore find them primarily in public institutions such as schools, offices, offices, offices, clinics, medical practices or authorities.
With such an aluminum picture frame, security is skillfully combined with elegance and aesthetics.
Shadow joint frame
A popular special form is the floater frame, which stands out even for its unusual name. Due to its first use in the Guggenheim Museum in New York, the floater frame is also the Guggenheim frame, or, in reference to its construction, the "canvas floater .
The special advantage of the shadow joint frame is that it the complete front of the canvas visible , i.e. does not cover the proportions of a work of art.
This is made possible by the special construction, according to which a framed work has a small distance on all sides of the frame. This joint, which looks like a shadow and is therefore also titled as a shadow joint, stages the painting in a very special way.
They are suitable for framing work on stretch frames, e.g. oil and acrylic images or fine art prints on canvas .
In many framework transactions and manufacturers, you can find directly orderable shadow joint frames in the common visual dimensions. The shadow joint is often 7 mm wide.
Shadow joint frames are often also custom -made if they have to be tailored to the dimensions of the canvas taking into account the surrounding shadow joint.
Good frame manufacturers and manufacturers manufacture frames individually according to the requirements and wishes of the customer.
In the short video below, you are welcome to get an idea of the visual effect of a shadow joint frame:
The passing partout

photo of Darshan Patel @darshanp9, via Unsplash
A passportout-sometimes also a passport-partout-is essentially a kind of window that you get when you cut a neckline into a surface. Such an opening makes it possible to present art aesthetically. It takes off the motif from the picture frame, creates a depth effect and gives the whole an elegant, noble paint.
Passepartouts have other functions :
- You can create a contrast to the frame or the work of art yourself.
- The picture is protected from direct contact with glass because the additional layer of the mount creates a small gap.
- Special visual effects can be created. For example, there are mounts whose lower edge (the "heel") is larger than the upper one. This intentionally pushes the work upwards to stylistically position the motif and thus restore visual balance. The side edges can also be enlarged to emphasize a panoramic effect. A "kakemono" effect with extended top and bottom edges is also possible.
In contrast to the versions already included in many commercially available picture frames, a proper passepartout has a thickness of at least 1.5 mm .
If you want to showcase your own or previously purchased artwork with a mount, you'll quickly reach your limits with many suppliers. This is especially true if the work doesn't have standard dimensions or if you have special requirements.
, custom-made mounting is the only solution . If you don't have the necessary cash or time to commission a local workshop, the Mount Workshop 's online configurator a wonderful way to upload your chosen picture from the comfort of your own home and configure a custom-fit mount with customized dimensions, options, materials, and shapes, tailored to your individual needs and wishes.

The price is calculated in real time and therefore there is no evil awakening later, since you always have the costs firmly in view.
It is also practical to order a suitable frame. A hotline is available for spontaneous questions.
In conclusion, not every work of art necessarily needs a picture frame. However, as we've learned in this article, there are many compelling reasons why picture frames have held their own in the art world from the Gothic period to the present day, proving their usefulness time and time again.

Owner and Managing Director of Kunstplaza. Journalist, editor, and passionate blogger in the field of art, design, and creativity since 2011. Successful completion of a degree in web design as part of a university study (2008). Further development of creativity techniques through courses in free drawing, expressive painting, and theatre/acting. Profound knowledge of the art market through years of journalistic research and numerous collaborations with actors/institutions from art and culture.












 
		 
		 
		 
		 
		 
		