Louis XIV-style frame
Unknown Artist
ca. 1772
Medium
Poplar
Dimensions
Overall: 23 1/16 × 19 1/2 in. (58.6 × 49.6 cm) Sight: 18 1/8 × 14 9/16 in. (46.1 × 37 cm) Rabbet: 18 7/8 × 15 3/8 in. (48 × 39.1 cm)
Classification
Frames
Culture
Italian, Florence
Department
Robert Lehman Collection
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Robert Lehman Collection, 1975
Accession Number
1975.1.2230
Art Historical Context
Step into the opulent world of 18th-century European decorative arts with this exquisite Louis XIV-style frame, around 1772 in Florence,. Though the artist remains unknown, this frame exemplifies the enduring influence of French Baroque design—characterized by bold, scrolling acanthus leaves, cartouches, and intricate carving—long after the reign of the Sun King. Produced in a city renowned for its Renaissance legacy and mastery of fine woodworking, it reflects Italy's role as a hub for exporting luxurious frames across Europe. Made from poplar wood, a lightweight yet durable choice prized fo...