Photo Frames 1896 - 1920

Franciscus G. Lukera made this picture frame sometime around the turn of the 20th century, probably with wood and a photograph. I wonder what it was like to be Lukera, carefully selecting the wood for the frame, considering its grain and texture. Did he see the frame as separate from the photograph, or did he imagine them as one, enhancing the image within? The frame itself has this warm, inviting colour with a smooth surface, making you want to reach out and touch it. Imagine the artist, sanding, staining, and polishing the wood, letting the natural patterns emerge. Each mark, each detail, contributes to the overall effect, creating a sense of depth and richness. It reminds me of how we, as artists, constantly build upon layers, adding and subtracting until we arrive at something that feels complete. There's a real dialogue between the artist's hand and the materials they are working with. It's a conversation that spans generations.