Picture Framing in the 18th Century
Influences and styles…
Many early frames have their origins in Dutch baroque design. England readily adopted this baroque style, which inevitably caught on in her American colonies. A thorough study of early frames reveal the popular taste of the 18th century appreciated a rich variety of styles and designs. Images of political, military, religious and social personalities as well as sets of prints with decorative and social commentary became all the rage to be “suitably framed and glazed.”
Perry Hopf Framing hand crafts these accurately replicated profiles spanning the 18th century.
These ebonized complex moldings have their origins in Dutch baroque design which favored dark heavy moldings.
Ebonized frames were often embellished with gilt carvings.
Separate sanded, carved and gilt liners can be “slipped” inside the ebonized frame creating a spectacular inner border of gold next to the image.
Neoclassical design replaced the baroque favoring overall gilded mouldings with less complex profiles.
