ABSTRACT
Picture frames typically serve two primary purposes: aesthetic enhancement and protection of the painting during handling, display, and storage. Even a minimalist strip frame of thin timber or metal offers significant protection to tacking margins from soiling and abrasion. The type and extent of protection will depend on the style, materials, and type of construction of the frame. Traditional nineteenthcentury frames often incorporate a ‘working edge’ – a flat area towards the back of the frame intended for sliding and standing the frame on padded surfaces, which provides physical protection to otherwise vulnerable canvas edges; however, the front and reverse of the canvas remain vulnerable.
