Why are paintings put in rectangular frames?

  • Thread starter Thread starter verdigris
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Frames Rectangular
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion explores the reasons behind the use of rectangular frames for paintings, considering historical, practical, and artistic perspectives. It touches on the implications of using different shapes for frames and the historical context of framing practices.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Historical, Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions how the shape of frames (triangular, hexagonal, circular) might influence an artist's thought process and the final artwork.
  • Another participant suggests that rectangular frames are practical due to their ease of construction, display, and storage.
  • A participant references a specific artwork by Picasso to illustrate the topic.
  • One participant humorously notes that the rectangular shape may be a result of the predominant rectangular nature of paper and canvas.
  • A participant raises a historical question about the use of rectangular frames by the Romans in mainland Europe, noting that Romans primarily painted on wood and created wall frescoes rather than using canvas.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

The discussion contains multiple viewpoints regarding the practicality and historical context of rectangular frames, with no consensus reached on the implications of using different shapes.

Contextual Notes

Some assumptions about the influence of frame shape on artistic expression and the historical practices of framing are not fully explored or resolved.

verdigris
Messages
118
Reaction score
0
If paintings were not put in rectangular frames but in triangular or hexagonal or circular frames what difference would this make to the end product?
Would the artist be forced to think differently?When the Romans came to the United Kingdom in the first century AD they brought the idea of right angled buildings with them (the native Celts built circular huts).Did the Romans use rectangular frames for paintings on mainland Europe?
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
http://wings.buffalo.edu/cas/english/faculty/conte/syllabi/377/Images/Picasso_Chair.jpg
Picasso, Still life with Chair Caning, 1912 :smile:
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Probably because paper/canvas is mostly rectangular? :-p
 
verdigris said:
Did the Romans use rectangular frames for paintings on mainland Europe?
The Romans didn't paint on canvas. They did some painting on wood, but mostly it was wall frescoes and some decorated items.
 

Similar threads

Surface roughness in 2D sinusoidal corrugation
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
5K
The Scientist as Hero - or not
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
4K
Woodworking: How I Built My Own End Tables from Scratch
  • · Replies 42 ·
2
Replies
42
Views
7K
Graduate Attempt to visualize higher dimensions
  • · Replies 25 ·
Replies
25
Views
6K
News Ahmadinejad's speech at Durban II
  • · Replies 38 ·
2
Replies
38
Views
8K
Challenge Math Challenge - December 2018
  • · Replies 67 ·
3
Replies
67
Views
17K
ECONOMICS: It's stupid to be afraid (Lee Kuan Yew to Der Spiegel)
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
5K
High School Why do astronauts describe the smell of space as strong, metallic, and unique?
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
4K
News Renaissance and reaction to Islam.
  • · Replies 49 ·
2
Replies
49
Views
8K
News THE CAUSES OF WAR What factors lead to the outbreak of war between nations?
  • · Replies 39 ·
2
Replies
39
Views
7K