Live from the Framing Studio

Excellent live online visit to the National Gallery framing studio.

Alyss Chafee, online events producer at the gallery, interviewed Peter Schade, head of the framing department focusing on two frames they are currently making for paintings for the refurbished Sainsbury Wing.

He stated by looking at a huge frame for Cione’s multi part Coronation of the Virgin. The picture is so huge it has rarely been seen in its original formation and has been shown unframed recently. I can’t wait to see it in situ in a new gilded frame. He talked about how it was based on frames which are still in situ in Italy probably made by the same craftsman as this works original frame.

They then moved onto a new frame for the Pollaiulo brothers St Sebastian. In fact they were standing in the middle of it for most of the talk. Again Schade talked about how it was based on original frames used by the brothers. I was fascinated by how they use the same tools as in the Renaissance.

I can’t wait to see both frames when the Sainsbury Wing reopens. I’ll be the person photographing the frame!

 

 

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