Every Picture (Frame) Tells a Story

These little known masterpieces invite you to look differently at hand-carved works of art designed to redirect light and attention to the paintings they surround.

This image, from The Louvre's Department of Paintings, pays tribute to the inventiveness and technical virtuosity of frame manufacturers, in Italy in the 16th century, Netherlands in the 17th century and in France in the 18th century

Detail of a French frame from the 18th century