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THE RICH STORY OF PICTURE FRAMES THROUGHOUT OUR COLLECTIVE HISTORY

For centuries, artists all over the world have known the importance of having the right frame for their pictures. The earliest pictorial depiction known to human beings was found in the form of cave paintings in Indonesia. This was nearly 40,000 years ago and of course, didn’t have any frames around them. Around 1980-1920 BC, Egyptian tomb paintings were discovered with boundaries around them to hold the image in and frame every element inside the boundary. This was perhaps the first instance of framing in human civilisation. 

Then came the Ancient Greeks who painted complex patterns and shapes on vases to emphasise the story on each one. Some of these artists were so ahead of their time that they even had certain design elements like helmets appear on top of the frame to provide a sense of depth to the characters.

As time went by, framed artworks were also found in Persepolis, Iran using geometric patterns or decorative carvings to frame the sculptures engraved on their walls. Some of these artists were clever enough to use vertical shapes to create dividers in their artwork. This was perhaps the earliest example of the modern-day comic book panels where each artwork was neatly framed within their border to emphasise the story told through each one.

Once the modern age began after the fall of the Roman Empire, wooden frames started to emerge, to showcase artwork. Most of these paintings had religious themes and the wooden frames helped to protect the artwork as they got transported from one place to another. This is where picture frames in the modern sense came into being. From this point on, frames were no longer used just to hold the visual art elements in but they became a part of the art itself. Engraved wooden frames and painted frames became the norm and each artist started pushing its limits as far as story-telling is concerned.

The introduction of frames for photographs began much later on as photographs replaced the traditional portrait paintings. It also became much more popular and common amongst the masses as photographs became more and more affordable. Today there is a wide variety of picture frames that come in many different sizes, shapes, colours, and designs. With the advent of technology and the entire world moving to the digital space, people can customise picture frames to their liking and get it delivered to their homes in a matter of days.

It’s pretty amazing to see how the modern-day picture frame has evolved over thousands of years. Its history and evolution are so rich in stories that you need a long time on hand to go through it all. The most amazing aspect of its rich history is that its functionality was changed from one form to another through innovation and practical problem-solving. How will it evolve from today and into the future? We might have to wait for some time to find out. What we can do is look at the modern picture frames in use today and see the general direction in which they are heading.

The Modern-Day Picture Frames

Modern-day picture frames can be divided into 5 main types. Each type branches off into various sub-types, each with their own unique design choices and qualities.

Industrial Picture Frames

These are made up of either metal or wood and are probably one of the most innovative ones in terms of designs. They have broken the traditional form of picture frames and ventured into unchartered territory when it comes to shapes.

You do get the traditional square or rectangular shapes but you also get circular ones, spiral ones, and even hexagonal ones. They have a wide variety of textures you can choose from such as polished ones, matte, glossy, clear glass, brushed metal, and more. If you want a unique one-of-a-kind frame for your artwork or picture, then industrial picture frames are the ones to go to.

Metal Frames 

These frames offer a great variety in terms of texture and durability making it one of the most versatile framing options out there today. You get a lot of variety when it comes to the finish, making it ideal for a wide range of photographs and artwork styles.

One of its best aspects though is that you can choose silver, brass, pewter, or even chrome and add plenty of dazzle to your prized photographs. So if you are unsure what type of frame will go well with your picture, it’s always safer to go for a metal frame.

Wooden Frames

Wooden frames offer a classic and timeless look and feel and help to enhance the ambience of a room in a significant way. They are perfect for displaying your favourite framed memories and artwork both in your office and home, making it quite versatile.

It’s also very easy to replace photographs in wooden frames as all you have to do is lift the tab at the back and slip in the new photo. You get these frames in a variety of sizes and even get the option to go for decorative engravings which make the photographs or artwork housed in them all the more special.

Frameless Canvas

These are quite different from others as it doesn’t use an external frame. Instead, the frame is housed underneath the canvas on which the artwork or photograph is printed on. In terms of interior decoration, they are the best option to go for if you plan to have a centrepiece in your room.

You can also choose the canvas material you want the picture to be printed on to give it a more premium look and feel. If you don’t like canvas, you can go for cloth too and use embroidery along the borders to make it even more alluring. The possibilities are quite endless when it comes to frameless canvasses.

Digital Frame

Even with the entire world shifting to the digital space, it’s no wonder that picture frames came along with us on our journey through time. Digital frames allow you to quickly change your pictures with a push of a single button and come with a wide variety of dazzling features.

Some of these frames come with additional coloured lighting that you can customise as per your preferences and light up your home. Some even come with music and video functionality. Most of them are small to medium-sized and come with a handy stand to keep on tables or mantles.

Any good framers will be able to show you a vast range of different solutions and advise on what might be the most suitable given the work and its proposed location. 

For information on how to hang your perfectly framed picture we have put together a simple guide.

You can contact EasyFrame on 01234 856 501 and / or sales@EasyFrame.co.uk and they'll always chat even if you don't want to buy!

 

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