Salvator Rosa frame
Unknown Artist
mid-18th century
Medium
Poplar back frame with ebonized pearwood upper moldings
Dimensions
Overall: 17 1/2 × 15 1/4 in. (44.4 × 38.7 cm) Sight: 10 7/8 × 8 3/4 in. (27.7 × 22.3 cm) Rabbet: 12 3/16 × 9 7/8 in. (31 × 25.1 cm)
Classification
Frames
Culture
Italian, Naples
Department
Robert Lehman Collection
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Robert Lehman Collection, 1975
Accession Number
1975.1.2193
Art Historical Context
Welcome to the Robert Lehman Collection at the Metropolitan Museum of Art where this exquisite *Salvator Rosa frame* mid-18th-century Naples invites us to appreciate the artistry of picture framing itself. Crafted with a sturdy poplar back and elegant ebonized pearwood moldings—pearwood treated to mimic the rich sheen of ebony—this frame measures 17½ × 15¼ inches overall, with a sight size of 10⅞ × 8¾ inches. Such materials were prized in Italian workshops for their durability and ability to achieve luxurious finishes without exotic imports. Named after the renowned 17th-century Neapolitan Ba...