Thursday, April 15, 2010

Matisse



This Matisse nude hangs in my office. It's a perfect example of how sometimes, due to my antique frame addiction, a piece of art comes together backwards. In other words, I found a print to go with the frame...instead of vice versa.

I believe this frame was the very first in my collection, which began while I was a college student in Maine. My love for both art and antiques found the perfect marriage in a passion for antique frames.


I've always admired the design detail and profile of this particular frame. It's also a good size at 16-1/2 x 22 inches.

For years, the frame was paired with a landscape print. But over time, I found that the soft, ambient colors of the print somehow took away from the drama of the frame itself. A few months ago, I decided to replace the landscape with a simple drawing of a female nude. I really adore this one by Matisse, a piece whose traditional lines and monochrome palette are unique compared to his more famous work.


I also recently framed a still life by Matisse for the kitchen. It is likewise paired with an antique gold frame, though the frame is much simpler in detail. Both pieces share the same aesthetic, which combines a finely made frame with a simple but delicately beautiful drawing.

I purchased both prints here.

23 comments :

  1. This picture is absolutley stunning...love the print, love the frame. Beautiful!

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  2. I love your collections of antique frames and art. Your home really highlights them beautifully. I just started collecting odd frames here and there...at the dump! I haven't come across anything as nice as yours yet!

    ~jamilyn

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  3. Hi Trina,

    I just love antique goldish frames with black and white art or photography. I think it is my favorite combination. I have an old gold frame with a black and white photo
    of my grand daughter that I treasure so much.

    ~janet

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  4. I love those frames! Where did you find them? Also, I love your blog...I found it about a week ago and have loved reading over your posts!

    Kate

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  5. Love the frame and the interesting note on how the vibrant artwork that was once housed within it, used to distract from its beauty.

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  6. I love the frame. You are right, a simple print allows the frame to stand out. Carla

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  7. Trina, both prints are lovely as are the frames. I love when you show us some of your frame collection.
    I recently bought on Ebay a book of 50 Matisse line drawings and prints from the Dover Art Library published in 1979 - I haven't received it yet, but I was wondering if you have seen this collection? I'm hoping to replace my landscape prints above my piano with sketches but sometimes nude sketches can be a little too graphic...at least for my taste.
    Sarah

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  8. What a fabulous thing to collect! Love each of these gorgeous frames and the prints you've put in them. Leigh

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  9. Trina, how wonderful! Your love of art(and art history) graces your home in so many ways, these special pieces being one of them!

    The Matisse drawings and the beautiful frames compliment each other so well. They allow each other to speak and shine without interrupting one another!

    Your eye is a force to be reckoned with...
    xo J~

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  10. Trina,
    I love the egg & dart detail in the first frame and you are so very intuitive with your choices!

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  11. I love your mix and match framing - you always create such lovely pieces!

    Really like the fine detail of the matisse prints. julesxxx

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  12. just divine...matisse is my fave...

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  13. Trina,
    I love your antique frames and the Matisse drawings are stunning! Really great job!! Thanks so much for sharing!!
    xx-Gina

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  14. Very hard to strike a balance between print and frame but I think you have "nailed" it!
    alicia

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  15. Trina, what things do you consider to determine if the frame is well made (tight joints, finish, etc.)?

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  16. Hi Anon.,
    Old frames are made with wood so they're nice and heavy. The profiles (what the shape of the frame sides look like) are made with such fine detail and craftsmanship that they're a work of art in their own right. I also like to find frames that have managed to survive the test of time and are fairly well intact with very little blemishes (missing pieces, chips, etc.). But it's hard to come by those well preserved frames so lately, I've been picking up frames that need more work and fixing what I can. And frame stores do sell reproduction antique frames but they're very, very expensive, which makes the antique ones a great bargain. Happy antique frame shopping! Trina

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  17. Trina, you always find the most beautiful antique frames and then fill them with equally beautiful artwork!

    Kat :)

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  18. Really lovely - the art and the frames and the walls they inhabit.
    pve

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  19. Love them both! So stylish and pretty!

    E + J

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  20. Love them both! So stylish!

    E + J

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  21. Absolutely one of my favorites, I never met an antique gilded frame I didn't love! xo

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  22. right on the mark.

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Thank you for leaving your thoughts. Kind regards, Catherine

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