Opinions Wanted Does this frame and mat combination present the artwork timelessly and elegantly?

Tapler

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I’m seeking advice on the presentation of a framed painting I plan to gift to a close friend. The artwork is *Selene* (a mythological moon goddess), printed on high-quality Hahnemühle bamboo paper. I’ve chosen a black frame with a silver accent and paired it with a 2-inch very white papermat. My goal is for the final presentation to feel timeless, elegant, and versatile for various settings, as it may be displayed in a bathroom. Does this combination of frame and mat complement the artwork effectively? Does it elevate the piece and give it a thoughtful, sophisticated look? I’d greatly appreciate any feedback or suggestions to ensure the gift is as polished and meaningful as possible.
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OK, I'll bite.
The elements aren't bad, but you need to work on proportions.
The piece seems a bit claustrophobic. I would give the art some more room.

Timeless? Much of that will only be known in the distant future and dependent on how well the art holds up. Is it a timeless piece?
 
OK, I'll bite.
The elements aren't bad, but you need to work on proportions.
The piece seems a bit claustrophobic. I would give the art some more room.

Timeless? Much of that will only be known in the distant future and dependent on how well the art holds up. Is it a timeless piece?
Thanks for the advice! I’ve got a 2” mat on it now, idk if I can go bigger but this gives me reassurance that the 2” is a good choice at least minimum
 
Welcome to the G!

When I see something framed in white mat and dark frame, my eye goes to that strongest contrast. I find it too overpowering for this piece. The frame is now the strongest color in the whole presentation. Not something I care for.

I would go with a silver, or a silver with a little bit of blue in it, one of the lighter colors in the art itself that would work with a white mat.

2 inch mats are definitely too narrow.
 
I agree with the others that it needs a bigger mat reveal. 2.5" minimum. I would be inclined to go 3".
 
Yep!! In my humble opinion the matt is far too narrow and when I see black frames with narrow white matts it just screams "IKEA". As Ylva said the hard contrast does draw the eye and distracts from the artwork. Bright white matts were also a no-no in my shop as, again, their brightness competes with the artwork for attention. Usually I liked matts to be at least double the width of the frame to avoid crowding the artwork.

I would probably use a double matt around 80mm or 3" wide with a flannel grey like Crescent's Fog or silver grey on top with the accent matt in a blue/grey which highlights the darker blues in the artwork. Blues can be "clashy" so, possibly a dark, almost navy colour would be best.

My frame would definitely be narrower, possibly in a similar profile to yours and in a dark silver, preferably a with bluish tint but I am too long out of the game to suggest a particular moulding.
 
As others have commented, it is nothing special as a "home decor cookie cutter" presentation.

There are many more options that a visit to a custom picture framer would provide.
 
It looks fine to me. Very understated and almost minimalist. But if I was being picky
it's veering toward starkness.

I think if I was presented with it I would soften the transition from image to mat using a double mat
with a silver fillet, or something of that order. Maybe a ruled on silver line?

Some things need more thinking about than doing. 😉
 
I think the frame is fine, but I'd go with something more light blue or blue gray (as others have said) for the mat. Another point would be to make sure the artwork is well sealed within the frame if you think it might be going in a bathroom. It will be humid in there.
 
You realize that we all have different opinions, right?

If I were framing that artwork, I would use a double mat to emphasize the female figure in the image, or possibly the muted color of the moon. Perhaps two grey shades, or maybe grey on top with 1/4" of a moderately-contrasted, muted grey-blue exposure beneath it. In any case, white is too stark, in my opinion. 3" mat margin, minimum.

The black frame is just OK. If I could find a grey frame that compliments the lower part of the image (just above what appear to be mountains) with some texture, that would be better.
 
That design style is what some of my customers choose when they come in saying "I don't want the framing to distract from the artwork".

They assume that means using only white or off white mats.
Part of our jobs as professional framers is to show options that disprove these misconceptions.

I won't say your choices are bad. There are many people who only choose white mats.

But the simple white single mat doesn't say "timeless and elegant".

You can experiment with design ideas online using a frame designing app like this one: https://www.larsonjuhl.com/en-US/lj-design-studio#maincontent LJ Design Studio

When you get some ideas you like, then go visit a local framer for their advice and to show you how it will look with actual mat colours you are interested in.

That Larson Juhl visualizer app only shows their own products. Use it for reference. Your local framer may use different products, but have similar choices.

And yes, be cautious hanging this in a bathroom.
Frequent changes in humidity can cause problems over time.
Natural fiber papers can easily absorb moisture, causing warping/waviness of the artwork.
Even if the piece is well sealed, condensation can occur inside the frame.
 
I agree with many of the comments made so far. I would use a wider mat, in a shade softer than white, and a silvery frame with some textured patina on it.
As to proportions, you don't want the width of the mat to be too close to that of the frame, as it is too static to allow the viewer's attention to continue in toward the art.
:cool: Rick
 
My bedroom is a mini museum of framed vintage pinup art. Most of the following have a 3" reveal. I show this main because the size of most is around the same size as the OP's art.

All three of these have a 3" reveal

br2.jpg


3" again

br3.jpg


And again.

br4.jpg


And again

br6.jpg


3" one more time.

br7.jpg
 
That design style is what some of my customers choose when they come in saying "I don't want the framing to distract from the artwork".

They assume that means using only white or off white mats.
Part of our jobs as professional framers is to show options that disprove these misconceptions.

I won't say your choices are bad. There are many people who only choose white mats.

But the simple white single mat doesn't say "timeless and elegant".

You can experiment with design ideas online using a frame designing app like this one: https://www.larsonjuhl.com/en-US/lj-design-studio#maincontent LJ Design Studio

When you get some ideas you like, then go visit a local framer for their advice and to show you how it will look with actual mat colours you are interested in.

That Larson Juhl visualizer app only shows their own products. Use it for reference. Your local framer may use different products, but have similar choices.

And yes, be cautious hanging this in a bathroom.
Frequent changes in humidity can cause problems over time.
Natural fiber papers can easily absorb moisture, causing warping/waviness of the artwork.
Even if the piece is well sealed, condensation can occur inside the frame.
My sentiments exactly.

That phrase "I don't want the framing to distract from the artwork" used to set my teeth on edge every time I heard it.

Too many of my customers came into the shop with ideas based on ready made frames or those they saw in gallleries where generic is the name of the game. Opening their minds to new ideas and finding out what will work for them and the kind of decor they really like usually leads to better outcomes.
 
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