The Frame Blog

Edmund Tarbell, Summer breeze, 1904, Currier Museum of Art, in a Carrig Rohane frame

New England Professional Picture Framers: A Presentation by Sue Jackson of Harvard Art

Susan Jackson of Harvard Art will be giving a talk, “Period Frames: History, Materials and Conservation”, at the March meeting of the New England Professional Picture Framers Association, which is being held at the Currier Museum of Art  in Manchester, New Hampshire, on Sunday 2 March 2014.

Edmund Tarbell, Mercie cutting flowers, 1912, Currier Museum of Art, in a Foster Brothers frame

 The presentation will focus on three topics concerning period frames: their history, how to look at a frame and the conservation of frames. The history of frames will consist of a brief overview, with the main emphasis on American frames. In considering how to look at a frame, the historic materials used in framemaking, methods of identifying these materials, and different types of gilding (gold leaf and gold-coloured surfaces) will be discussed. Finally, Sue will describe what frame conservation entails, different aspects of the treatment of a frame, and how to work with a frame conservator. She will also show examples of various period frame conservation projects.

Frank W. Benson, Portrait of Mary Spencer Fuller, 1914, Currier Museum of Art, in a Foster Brothers frame

This presentation follows an afternoon tour of the Currier Museum of Art, focusing on the framing of the Museum’s collection; the event includes dinner and a question-&-answer session with Sue Jackson. Full details can be viewed online or downloaded below:

Medallion on the reverse of a Foster Brothers frame

Maker’s mark on the reverse of a Carrig Rohane frame

This event is organized by NEPPFA: New England Professional Picture Framers Association