Framing paintings (baguettes)

In this article we will tell you how to properly frame a painting and answer popular questions from artists, collectors and art lovers on this topic. 

How to properly arrange a picture in a baguette (frame)?

By choosing a stylish baguette that will highlight the beauty of the painting, you will increase the value of the painting. At a minimum, it will be noticeable that you spent time on its design - this means effort, time and energy. As a maximum, the picture will become visually larger, and a stylish baguette (frame), mat, inserts will add accents that are regarded as a successful aesthetic and design solution. 

It is better to entrust the selection of frames for paintings and graphics to professionals and masters of their craft. On the technical side, the main thing for objects of art is high quality wood and reliable fittings (staples, wall mounts, etc.). For aesthetics, the right combinations of colors and patterns are important. For example, if the style of the painting is with “curls,” then it is better to choose a similar baguette with “curls.” If the work is “warm”, then the baguette should retain this warmth with similar shades.

Wood or plastic? 

Unlike the old joke "Reebok or Nike", an experienced art dealer and collector will always choose a frame made of wood. If you are already spending money, time and energy in this direction, it is better to do it once and do it well. Wood has a number of advantages and differences from plastic, including:

- higher strength

The most terrible blow for a painting is a blow into the corner. If the frame is plastic, there is a 90% chance that it will burst. A wooden baguette is of higher quality, and as befits wood, it is soft and will take a blow. There will only be a dent or a scratch, but the frame will most likely not burst upon impact or fall.

- presentable

Experienced dealers and collectors around the world can visually distinguish between a wooden and a plastic molding. Plastic has a cheap shine. Therefore, it is better to sell a painting in a wooden baguette.

- value

Having framed a painting in a good quality baguette, it automatically cannot be cheap. There is a so-called cost price, so the presence of a frame does not give rise to much bargaining. 

What is the trendy, fashionable baguette in 2024?

For several years in a row, the L-shaped baguette has taken the lead. Alternative names: American, Americano. The fashion for this type of frame came from cult designers and leading auction houses, such as Christie's and Sotheby's.

The highest sales of art objects are observed in the modernism market. Therefore, in the world of painting decoration today, frames in the style of modernism and neoclassicism are popular. Classic baroque frames are a thing of the past. In the new millennium, designers are taking the classics and creating new trends based on them. 

Is it worth framing a painting before selling it?

In other words, is it worth framing a painting in order to increase interest in the painting and therefore sell it faster? There is no clear answer to this question. On the one hand:

- framing requires time and money, but if the painting has already been framed, it means the buyer is already saving time;

- in a frame the picture looks more presentable and is already a finished product;

- if selling a painting abroad is a significant plus, since the baguette (frame) itself and the services of designers are 3-5 times more expensive than ours.

Disadvantages of design:

- the buyer may have his own taste that does not coincide with your choice of frame;

- the frame does not fit into the interior of the buyer’s home and he needs to redo the design;

- the buyer is wealthy, loves art and can find time for decoration - so it will not be difficult for him to choose the best frame for his taste and wait 2-3 weeks for it to be decorated in the workshop.

To summarize, we can say that framing a painting requires an individual approach , and the workshop must have the experience and taste to best provide such a service. ArtDom Gallery cooperates with several framing workshops that have been operating on the Ukrainian market for more than 5 years and use only high-quality framing of European origin.

To calculate the cost of decoration, send us a photo of the painting and write down the dimensions. Our managers will select baguette options with an indication of cost within 10 minutes.

Call us +38 063 247 8102

Or write to us in Telegram or in Viber