The History of American Picture-Frame Design

Talk by Johanna Moore

In America’s early days as a nation, picture frames were imported from Europe before artisans immigrated to this country to practice their craft. Johanna Moore will show how frame designs transformed through time, how they are constructed from the wood base to the gilded or painted finishes, and how artists chose frame designs to complete their paintings. A particular emphasis will be put on Maine frame makers and history.

From early America to modern times, the ingenuity of artists and their frames will be explored, including artist and sign painter William Matthew Prior, artists Dorothy Emmons, Marguerite Zorach, James Fitzgerald, Vivian Akers, and many more. This presentation will show the interrelationship of artists and their frame makers and will serve to broaden an understanding of frame making for artists, collectors, and enthusiasts alike.

Johanna Moore is an artist, gilder, frame maker, and conservator with more than 30 years in practice in Maine and works with artists, collectors, and museums in researching, designing, and crafting historic frames for paintings.  lonepineprojects.com You can view Moore’s work in the Farnsworth Art Museum’s exhibition The Screen Show, on view through September 22, 2019.

Cost: $15; $10 museum members, including gallery admission