Our advice for framing paintings
Framing an artwork both enhances its visual appeal and protects it. There are various types of frames, which should be chosen depending on your preferences and the work's features.
To ensure that the painting is suitably framed, you should always choose acid-free cardboard, made from cotton, which is stable and resistant, as opposed to regular cardboard, which made from wood pulp and be therefore very acidic and harmful to the work, potentially turning it yellow over time.
A moulding, a wooden or plastic batten, is a light and natural frame that shows a clear preference for simplicity.
A passe-partout (cardboard framing mat) is an intermediate cardboard frame placed between a framed work without glass and the frame. It is intended mainly for works on paper.
A French bevel is a thicker passe-partout that adds depth to the work. The passe-partout has a 4-ply thickness, whereas the French bevel has an 8-ply thickness.
A Marie-Louise is a type of intermediate frame that is placed between a framed work without glass and the frame. It is made from wood and is covered in fabric (often linen). It is mainly used for oil paintings.
A floater frame: An inverted frame that leaves the canvas exposed on the sides. The space between the frame and the edge of the painting ensures that the subject is wholly visible and gives the work an interesting relief effect.
To ensure that the painting is suitably framed, you should always choose acid-free cardboard, made from cotton, which is stable and resistant, as opposed to regular cardboard, which made from wood pulp and be therefore very acidic and harmful to the work, potentially turning it yellow over time.
A moulding, a wooden or plastic batten, is a light and natural frame that shows a clear preference for simplicity.
A passe-partout (cardboard framing mat) is an intermediate cardboard frame placed between a framed work without glass and the frame. It is intended mainly for works on paper.
A French bevel is a thicker passe-partout that adds depth to the work. The passe-partout has a 4-ply thickness, whereas the French bevel has an 8-ply thickness.
A Marie-Louise is a type of intermediate frame that is placed between a framed work without glass and the frame. It is made from wood and is covered in fabric (often linen). It is mainly used for oil paintings.
A floater frame: An inverted frame that leaves the canvas exposed on the sides. The space between the frame and the edge of the painting ensures that the subject is wholly visible and gives the work an interesting relief effect.