Framing by Katherine Waller

Frame has many definitions and dates back to the fourteenth century. It can be use as either a noun, adjective or a verb. To frame someone, you set them up to take blame for something they did not do. A frame is something composed of parts that are fitted together to create an object. The human skeleton is known as the frame. A frame can also be a constructional system that gives strength and shape to a building such as a house. There is a window frame, a frame in bowling and a frame in baseball, a picture frame and a car frame. Frames are also used in web pages to help organize information visually.
When you look at all of these uses and apply them to the visual world, framing is strength, enclosure and shape. A frame may be man made or made by nature. Regardless of the make-up the frame helps to accomplish the same concepts. The frame can add strength to the image adding contrast to the image, but showing the eye where to focus. The frame allows the eye to focus and see a definite beginning and end, enclosure. Finally, a frame allows the eye to form a definitive shape by separating the picture from the rest of the environment. Although frames are usually in the shape of a rectangle, they can come in all shapes.
Art dictionaries describe frames as something created to enclose a picture or a mirror. A frame is an enclosure of parts that are joined together. It further states that pictures are placed in frames to set them off from their surroundings; to honor or decorate them and to protect the art. Some artists even design the frame that holds their artwork. Frames are to set the image apart from the rest of the surroundings.
Doherty in his article discusses how the frame an artist chooses reflects how the artist thinks of their work. In addition he offers tips or rules of thumb when framing. Don't use cheap materials. It is better to use a simple nice frame than cheap material. Balance the work of art and the size of the frame and he also states that it is important to have the work match the frame. Do not have a modern art frame and a Victorian painting.
"Art consists of limitation . . . Has not everyone noticed how sweet and startling any landscape looks when seen through an arch? This strong, square shape, this shutting off of everything else, is not only an assistance to beauty; it is the essential of beauty. The most beautiful part of every picture is the frame." (G. K. Chesterton 1909).

This quote sums up for me the use of frames. It helps to make the scene just that more romantic or suspenseful. It allows the eye to focus on the image so that the person can open its soul to either connect with or not connect with the artist for a moment in time. This picture creates the idea of framing through the natural use of the buildings. You eye is drawn to the water. This adds interest to the picture. The banner overhead further adds a dimension of enclosure where you get a nice image of the river beyond.
	This quote sums up for me the use of frames. It helps to make the scene just that more romantic or suspenseful. It allows the eye to focus on the image so that the person can open its soul to either connect with or not connect with the artist for a moment in time. This picture creates the idea of framing through the natural use of the buildings. You eye is drawn to the water. This adds interest to the picture. The banner overhead further adds a dimension of enclosure where you get a nice image of the river beyond.
This picture is a play on the traditional frame. Here is a collage of many different frames in many different styles. Here you see a frame within a frame within a frame twice. You see very ornate frames and very simple designs. There is a mix of materials as well. There are metal frames and wood frames. From this collage, we can see that the frame is just as much a work of art as the paintings that might normally reside in them. In research, there is much discussion that a frame is just as important as the work of art. Even though there is no subject, the frame creates a picture of strength; it focuses the eye and creates a shape.
	This is a study of the effects of framing. Here is a photo that does not have any frame man-made or natural. Your eye is drawn to the large red flower in the middle, but the strength of the photo is lacking. Your eye wonders throughout the photo and it does not seem to have an end.
In this picture, you have a frame. The photo was taking while holding a manmade frame in front of the flower. Now your eye is focused on the red flowers in the middle and your eyes know where to stop. From this study, you can see the impact that a frame has on the photo. It adds strength by creating a more bold statement. It creates focus, you now go straight to the flowers and it adds enclosure. It makes a nice neat and more crisp image.
	In this photo, the trees are creating a frame around the road and the truck. The trees as a frame keep pushing your eye to the road and the truck ahead. This photo creates hope because you are wondering what lies ahead. Since the trees completely block out any other image you are forced to focus down. The trunks are similar and this frame begins to create movement. You focus, but the frame allows you to see yourself moving behind the truck. If the trees were not there than it would just be a picture of a road and beat up old truck, but with the foliage frame, you have a beautiful hopeful image of what is to come.
This last photo shows the frame of a house that is being built. Here you see strength and support. From this frame, a house will be built and furniture will be moved in as well as art. So, frames will be hanging on frames. I believe that this is what a frame does. It adds strength by focusing your interest; it provides support by either protecting the art and/or adding to the design giving a more finished look. Without a frame you could not have the house.

Examples of topic in online museum:

1. Name of piece of art: The Ceiling of the Sistine Chapel
Artist: Michelangelo
Museum: Sistine Chapel
URL: http://www.christusrex.org/www1/sistine/0-Ceiling.html

The ceiling Sistine Chapel is an unique example of framing. The frames are actually created by the architecture. The concrete molding provides a natural frame where Michelangelo sometimes has to paint into a triangle space. To continue the look of framing and keep the ceiling consistent Michelangelo will paint frames that are like the architectural molding. In some scenes the images seem to be coming out of the frame.

2. Name of piece of art: Ladder in Foliage, or Poetic Arabesques for the Decoration of a Ceiling, 1892
Artist: Maurice Denis
Museum: The Metropolitan Museum of Art
URL: http://www.metmuseum.org/special/beyond_the_easel/4.L.htm

Denis creates a frame that seems to extend the painting. The frame has foliage painted in the same manner as in the painting itself. The very edge of the frame is gold and is what really encloses the picture. By extending the frame he creates a very seamless effect from art to frame.

Bibliography

Chesterton, G. K. (1874-1936), English journalist and writer, Tremendous Trifles, "The Troy Theatre," 1909.
Delahunt, M. ArtLex Art Dictionary (1996-2003). http://www.artlex.com/

Doherty, S. M. What Artists Need To Know About Framing in the collection by Moss, L.N. Nuts and Bolts. American Artist; Oct97, Vol. 61 Issue 663, p56, 12p, 14c, 3bw.

General Framing and Matting Guidelines http://www.discountgraphics.net/decorating/framing.html