Swept frame
Unknown Artist
1735–45
Medium
Oak
Dimensions
Overall: 30 9/16 × 26 3/4 in. (77.6 × 68 cm) Sight: 22 3/16 × 18 1/2 in. (56.3 × 47 cm) Rabbet: 24 3/16 × 19 9/16 in. (61.5 × 49.7 cm)
Classification
Frames
Culture
French
Department
Robert Lehman Collection
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Robert Lehman Collection, 1975
Accession Number
1975.1.2254
Art Historical Context
This elegant *Swept frame*, crafted in oak around 1735–45 by an unknown French artisan, exemplifies the ornate framing traditions of the Louis XV era. Measuring 30 9/16 × 26 3/4 inches overall, with a sight size of 22 3/16 × 18 1/2 inches, it designed to encase a modestly scaled painting, likely a portrait. The term "swept" refers to its characteristic flowing, S-curved contours, which create a dynamic sense of movement—a hallmark of French Rococo that prioritized graceful asymmetry over rigid symmetry. Oak's durability made it a practical yet luxurious choice for such frames, often gilded or...