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A History of European Picture Frames Paul Mitchell and Lynn Roberts There is enormous public and professional interest in picture frames but until publication of this long-awaited book there has been no comprehensive, scholarly survey documenting frame styles and their original context. This book is the culmination of over 20 years' work by Mitchell and Roberts, widely known frame historians and consultants. They have undertaken a unique photographic survey of frames in most major museums in Europe and North America, as well as in many historic houses and exhibitions. This analysis of frame styles and their interrelationships over eight centuries is organized by nationality and period with 56 carefully constructed diagrams in the form of framemakers' pattern books, interspersed with 38 plates of framed paintings. Components are drawn directly from photographs of 268 frames original or contemporary to their pictures. The introduction includes: form and function of frames; framemakers and reframing; a stylistic overview and historiography. Following sections discuss frames by national school: Italy, France, Britain, the Netherlands and Belgium, Germany, Central Europe, Scandinavia, and Spain. A measure of this book's achievement is that hitherto there have been no frame studies specific to the latter four areas. Originally commissioned for the 34-volume The Dictionary of Art, this pioneering work will be the standard and indispensable guide to frames for the museum curator, art historian, dealer, and private collector for many years to come. Merrell Holberton Rights in the Western Hemisphere and China |
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