Neoclassical frame
Unknown Artist
1760–70
Medium
Poplar
Dimensions
Overall: 12 3/8 × 16 in. (31.5 × 40.7 cm) Sight: 8 7/16 × 12 3/16 in. (21.5 × 31 cm) Rabbet: 9 1/8 × 12 13/16 in. (23.2 × 32.5 cm)
Classification
Frames
Culture
Italian, Rome (?)
Department
Robert Lehman Collection
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Robert Lehman Collection, 1975
Accession Number
1975.1.2290
Art Historical Context
This exquisite Neoclassical frame, around 1760–70 in possibly Rome, Italy, exemplifies the era's fascination with ancient Greek and Roman antiquity. from poplar—a lightweight, carvable hardwood popular for its fine grain and affordability—this frame reflects the mid-18th-century shift toward neoclassicism, a movement emphasizing symmetry, clean lines, and restrained ornamentation over the exuberant curves of Baroque and Rococo styles. Likely designed to encase a portrait or small painting, its precise dimensions (overall 12 3/8 × 16 in.) highlight the meticulous craftsmanship of Roman workshop...