In addition to protecting and creating a defining margin for a painting, the picture frame performs many important functions, exerting a significant influence on our perception of the image it surrounds. This highly acclaimed landmark publication provides a beautifully illustrated guide to the most familiar frame styles associated with the major European artistic movements. By considering the frame historically, in both its wider physical context and its formal relationship to the work of art, this detailed visual history reveals the extent to which a frame can enhance our appreciation of a picture.
- A comprehensive and wide-ranging survey of picture frames, from the Renaissance to the twentieth century
- Lavishly illustrated throughout, including many paintings reproduced in their frames for the first time
- An essential and authoritative study that will appeal to anyone with an interest in art history