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The Intriguing History of the Picture Frame with Hattie Bennett
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The gilded carved picture frame is a familiar sight in museums and galleries throughout the world. We’re normally too busy gazing at the artwork within, to fully appreciate this all-too-familiar object. This Conversation will follow the history and development of the picture frame from the thirteenth century to today, as we analyze the picture frame as its own unique artwork.
These objects fulfill many requirements, practically they create a literal frame around the painting against its surroundings and provide protection to the canvas. Aesthetically they are wonderful examples of the changing styles in decorative arts, closely following the prevailing style of a country from the Italian Renaissance tabernacle frame to the exuberant Roman baroque, the seventeenth-century Dutch elegant and restrained polished wood frames to the eighteenth-century French frames, the zenith of the frame-makers mastery with delicately carved and gilded swags of foliage and flowers.
In this talk, we will look at early examples of frames and trace stylistic development across Europe, including the Impressionists, some of whom designed their own frames, to the English aesthetic movement where the frame was a considered component by the artist.
Largely ignored by art historians the frame is now enjoying closer study with exhibitions leading to a larger understanding. We’ll discuss how curatorial practices now lean to reframing paintings in historically accurate frames which can ignore or remove the provenance of a painting, something we will discuss.
Led by an expert in Art History with a career in framing old master paintings, Hattie Bennett, this interactive seminar will discuss the history of the frame. Designed to inform curiosity as well as future travels, participants will come away with an increased understanding of the frame as a work of art in its own right.
Hattie has a degree in History of Art and an MA in Historic Interiors, she has a life-long passion and fascination in Fine and Decorative Arts, particularly works produced in Europe from the 16th to 18th century. After working for the Royal Collection in the Print Room at Windsor Castle, she was a curator for a private collector of 17th and 18th century prints and drawings. Hattie has worked for London's foremost framer of important old master paintings during which time she sharpened her appreciation and understanding of the decorative arts and the changing tastes of collecting. Recently she has been dealing in prints and works of art as well as taking groups of all ages to museums and galleries.
This conversation is suitable for all ages.
90 minutes, including a 30 minute Q&A.
Loved, loved, loved this presentation. Hattie's fantastic slides made it so much easier to digest the wealth of information she shared. I cannot wait for my next museum visit where I will pay equal attention to the frames!
Loved the talk...Hattie gave so much information and it was so well presented. It is a topic that is rarely discussed and so I was pleasantly surprised when Context offered it. Signed up months ago. Definitely recommend it!
Highly recommend Hattie Bennett. Great presenter with deep knowledge of subject matter. You can tell she loves sharing her expertise.
I thought I had a bit too much information going in as I learned water gilding in art school and have been reading, viewing and collecting frames for some time. I have enjoyed Context Tours live in Rome and Istanbul. A friend has been enjoying the Context subjects online while not able to travel and gifted this to me.
Wow, I learned so much. My favorite part was how original frames were changed to suit the owner's taste. The Ingres frame that he designed was a great example. The incorporation of the painting's theme in the frame as in Murillo's Immaculate Conception was another favorite.
An excellent job by a very knowledgeable and engaging host.. Thank you.
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