Frames in Focus: Sansovino Frames
Fascinating exhibition at the National Gallery looking at a particular type of 16th century picture frame. It seemed odd at first to walk into a gallery mainly of frames with only a couple having pictures in them. However it was almost like an art installation in its own right with the frames forming a lovely pattern against the darkly painted walls. The type of frame takes its name from the architect Jacapo Sansovino however there seems no connection between the frames and him other than their style. They are known for overlapping and broken scroll designs, features from classical architecture, fruit, masques and cherubs. The earlier ones tend to be more architectural and the later ones more florid. The notes pointed out that a frame creates a stage setting for a picture and also talked about the incongruity of having pictures on the virgin and child in frames with bare breasted women on! I loved some with great swags of flowers and fruit with a green man type face a