Frame c. 16th century

This frame, of unknown origin, sits within the collection of the Minneapolis Institute of Art. We can consider the cultural context of ornate frames; they were historically commissioned by the wealthy to set off the painting inside, creating a complete and beautiful artwork. Consider the notion of "anonymous" craftsmanship. The maker of this frame, whose identity has been lost to time, was a skilled artisan, but lacked the social status that would warrant the preservation of their name. Their labor and expertise were essential, yet their individual identity was subsumed by the larger, more powerful forces of patronage and art history. It is a ghostly reminder that the story of art is more than simply the story of the famous. What emotions are evoked when you consider the countless invisible hands which were involved in creating the art we consume and revere?