In the article The Story of the Picture Frame, author W.H. Bailey illustrates how important the frame around the artwork is. In his article, I found out that different types of frames have different meanings. Bailey states that people always focus on the main part of the painting and the artwork. They won’t usually pay attention to the frame or the border. I agree with him because every time I look at an artwork or painting, I always like to have an overview rather than look into the details. The author demonstrates the frames never act as the protagonist, yet frames should never be in the shade since the value of the frames is indispensable. Our group chose the painting called Don Gaspar de Guzman, Count- Duke of Olivares, c.1635.
The painting shows Count-Duke of Olivares ride on a white horse, which seems like the painter formed a heroic image. As a viewer, it is hard to focus on the frames in this type of painting. The painting is more attractive than the frame around it, but Bailey expresses the equal values between the painting and the frame. Bailey explains that the satyr masks have screaming, gaping mouths as a protection for the painting. I agree with Bailey’s point about how these satyr faces are protecting the painting. When I look closer to the picture of the frame, I found out that this satyr face is often used as a protection symbol a lot in seventeenth-century. For example, people put satyr face statue in front of their house in order to keep evil spirits away. After reading through Bailey’s article, I learned to look at the painting and the surrounding as a whole to consider the message behind the work.
picture link
http://n7.alamy.com/zooms/2e9a4861e5004d049c7bc1d7b0b14ae9/don-gaspar-de-guzmn-15871645-count-duke-of-olivares-by-diego-rodrguez-bp559c.jpg
http://i.ebayimg.com/images/i/370045021292-0-1/s-l1000.jpg