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Art is the love child of creativity and talent. Since time immemorial artists have been creating art; sometimes as per the needs of the royals and sometimes to express their own suppressed thoughts. Art knows no boundaries and there is no limit which can restrict the human imagination. As a result since generations, artists have been emerging and with their utmost talent and abilities they have left their audiences awestruck.

In the recent times, people have developed a strong inclination towards the subject of art and are trying to incorporate its beauty within their dear spaces. As art is a very subjective concept, individuals spend a lot of time in figuring out their tastes and preferences. It is a tedious process and right from visiting a modern art gallery to searching online, people leave no stone unturned in finding that one perfect piece. Once that painting is found, huge amount of money is invested into it and finally, after a long wait, it comes home. Then, very carefully and strategically it is placed in a manner which perfectly complements its style in accordance to the room. Is that it? Well, what if I tell you that in this extremely well-planned situation a very crucial aspect, which holds to ability to make or break the entire appeal of the painting, has been missed? If you are wondering about what that important element is, then it is the frame of the painting.

Without a single doubt, frames are the most understated aspect of paintings and yet they hold the immense power to change the way it looks. Whether it is nature paintings or traditional art, framing stands to be that loyal knight which not only safeguards an artwork but ensures that it looks the best. Here, I present to you the underlying potential of the most neglected part of paintings which has the ability to alter its visual appeal.

To frame or not to frame:
One of the biggest questions which will come your way while framing is this one. It might seem a bit surprising, but not all paintings need to be framed. For gallery-wrapped paintings, framing is entirely optional as it doesn’t necessarily need one. A gallery wrap denotes a canvas which is wrapped around thick stretcher bars and is then secured to the back safely instead of the sides. This technique helps in leaving the sides of the painting extremely smooth and staple-free. A lot of artists are creating nature paintings in this style. So, a good idea is to assess whether the painting needs framing in the first place or not.

Choosing the suitable frame:
There are no hard and fast rules pertaining to the selection of frames. However, here are three tips that can help you in choosing the most suitable frame.

  • Painting’s style: Ideally, the style of painting should match with the style of frame. For instance, if you have brought a period painting from a modern art gallery, then traditional looking frames will compliment it better. This is the safest tip which helps you in choosing the most suitable structure.
  • Size of the painting: Usually, big statement paintings go really well with large frames of wider mouldings. This is a general guideline. However, based on your personal choice and availability of space, you can either choose broader frames or the ones with sleek edging.
  • Frame should complement the painting and not compete with it: While framing your painting, due attention needs to be given to the fact that the chosen frame in no way contends with the artwork in colour and texture. Say for example, you have nature paintings with extremely busy views. If you choose an elaborate frame, then it might not go very well with the paintings. Balance is the key here.

Conclusion:
You must have seen a beautiful diamond ring which adorns a big solitaire. While all the eyes are set on the solitaire, the importance of the frame which holds it in place cannot be ignored. Likewise, the beautiful painting which you recently got from a modern art gallery is the solitaire and the frame is the element which holds it together in place. Just as a poor quality frame can diminish the spark of a solitaire, in the same manner, a poor choice of frame can downgrade the look of your painting.