Thursday, February 27, 2014

Principles of Modernism:No Frame/No Border

The Royal Academy in London, 1881

Modernist painters turning away from the Academy----the elite art establishment---showed their independence by rejecting elaborate frames that were a requirement for exhibition.

French ministers in a gallery at the Musee d'Orsay

The taste and politics of framing are communicated in subtle fashion but we can see the differences between modern/not modern by comparing two painters: Frank Stella and Rembrandt

Frank Stella piece with a minimal frame

Rembrandt self-portrait with carved gold leafed frame

Frank Stella---no visible frame?

Rembrandt self-portrait

Stella gallery exhibit

Stella Number 886

Stella's shaped canvasses might have a thin strip to protect the edges.

A little photo manipulating
shows the absurdity of breaking the rules.

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