Many of the pictures offered in Roseberys' Old Master, British and European sales are framed, and it is certainly true that a handsome period frame can add grandeur, depth and dimension to a painting or work on paper. Some works, however, are unframed, and while the absence of a frame can have its own advantages (read on to discover them!), prospective buyers often ask us about the challenges an unframed work might present both in terms of care, and presentation.
In this guide, we provide you with some handy tips and pointers for buying, and enjoying, unframed old master pictures.
Enjoy getting up close and personal
One unique advantage of unframed pictures is that, unlike their framed counterparts, they are fully visible and accessible from all sides.
Lot 1 in our July sale, the rare East Anglian school picture, is presented without a frame (as it would have been originally displayed) and this allows a viewer to appreciate the almost sculptural depth and relief of the layers of tempera.
In the case of works on paper, sheets presented without frames allow you to sometimes see other details which may otherwise be concealed by mounts or backing boards. In the case of lot 239, for example, close handling revealed Joseph Mallord William Turner’s studio blindstamp to the margins of the sheets.
Care and Condition
Over time the surface of a painting can wear and weather a little, and a sturdy frame can provide a layer of protection. An unframed canvas is generally slightly more vulnerable. If you are displaying an unframed work, particularly one with a surface that appears as though it has already sustained damages or flaking over time, it is always best to keep it in an area that isn’t too damp (a good rule of thumb for paintings generally!). Take care not to display these works in places where they could easily be knocked or where people might brush past them, or where anything sharp (like the edge of a piece of furniture) might be poking the canvas. Safety is key!
Lot 26: Circle of Francesco Fontebasso, Italian 1707-1769- Missionaries in the New World
Talk to the professionals
If you acquire an unframed work, but you would prefer to see it in a frame, do not hesitate to reach out to professional framers or to ask auction house specialists for advice. At Roseberys we are always happy to provide suggestions, and to give you an idea of the kinds of frames that might be sympathetic to the work you have acquired or are thinking about purchasing, or to discuss which types of frames are true to the picture’s era.
Own it
Presenting an Old Master picture ‘bare’ without a frame can be very striking, and allows these older works to slot seamlessly into sleeker, more modern rooms and homes. Embracing the frameless look is a bold interior design statement, which we absolutely love to see.
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