AboutSara Tro Expertise I am a professional custom picture framer and designer. I have experience in all areas of
picture framing, and own my own custom framing shop. I can answer questions relating
to the design of a piece, the preservation of the artwork, color theory, photograph
restoration, decor, art placement, room balancing and installation questions.
Experience I have owned my own retail custom frame shop for 5 years, and managed a high-end shop before that for 5.5 years. I worked for a professional restorer and archivist for 8 months prior to the management position. I am also a fine artist myself, with a BFA in Photography and Printmaking, and have been framing my own work for years and years.
Education/Credentials BFA Fine Arts, NYSCC at Alfred University, NY
Expert: Sara Tro Date: 2/15/2008 Subject: mat width
Question Hello, Sara, its' me again. Thank you very much for your last answer. I really trust your expertise and would like to ask you other questions.
Is it true that the mat width should be the same all around regarding its height and width? People told me that it's more formal to bottom weight too.
Is there a usual ratio between the frame size and the artwork? Wouldn't an artwork look more important when it has wider mat and bigger frame?
Thanks
Answer Hi Judy,
Thanks for the question!
So, in my opinion, in is NOT true that the mat should be the same all the way around. I can't remember the last time I framed something for someone without at least a 1/4" weight at the bottom of the mat. Even a small amount will help, and is necessary to make the art look centered when it's on the wall. If you don't add weight to the bottom, it will look like the mat is actually smaller at the top and bottom, because of the visual weight of the artwork itself.
As for the standards in mat width etc.. there really are no rules here. (Again, the intuition comes in to play..). It's really a feeling you have for proportion being correct, and when it's not, you can tell. Usually, as a general rule, I stay away from frames and mats that are the same visual width from the front. So, for example, if my frame I've chosen is about 2 inches wide, I wouldn't make the mat 2" wide. This can create a sort of linear "stripe area" around the piece that can be distracting.
As for the art looking more important in a wider mat, this is not necessarily true. Sometimes framing will achieve a more modern look with a very wide mat, but then I would probably pair it with a narrow frame, (one that is strong enough to support the weight of the glass, of course). This gives the artwork a large expanse of breathing room around it, so it can be good if the art will hang on a wall that is textured by wall paper or a faux finish.
And, in terms of the artwork size and frame size ratio, there really isn't any rule here either. (Again that pesky intuition!). Tiny artwork can look great in large frames, (and by large I mean 3"-5" wide or so..). And in contrast, bigger pieces can look great in very skinny frames.. Like, many canvases look really good in simple "floater" frames, (like a 1/2" wide strip of wood, basically) that just create the illusion of a frame and give the piece an edge, but don't compete with the actual artwork. But, large pieces will look great in very large frames too.. you can stack mouldings together to make wider and wider frames, provided the mouldings look and fit together well. I wouldn't normally frame a large painting, say 40"x 40" in a frame that is 2" (or so) wide and flat.. but that's just my asthetic, and there may be a frame that is taller and 2" wide that looks great. My point here is, in general, if the frame looks "wishywashy", it doesn't look balanced, & the painting overpowers the frame.
Formal framing can take on many attributes. Too many to go into really.. But, I don't think that weighting the bottoming of the mat makes the piece more formal.
As there really is no "right"and "wrong" in this field in terms of designing, I'd recommend you see as much as possible and form your unique style. A great decor or interior design book could really be good, as framing is usually part of a rooms unique portrait, and you'll get to see what looks good to you, and what doesn't. Knowing what you don't like is as important as knowing what you do like! maybe even more so..?
Of course, feel free to write anytime, & I wish you the best of luck in your hobby.
Happy framing!
Sara
