By Kathleen Kummer
Quite a few years ago, before I had the opportunity to study botanical illustration, I began collecting botanical prints to be framed as artwork for my home. When I presented the prints to a local framer, they intentionally prepared a decorative mat in the style of English botanical art framing and included bands of marbled paper and colored lines as a method of embellishing the print. At the time, I was unaware that this was a recognized technique for framing botanical art, and it was not until years later that I researched this framing technique.
Since then, I have seen many examples of botanical, bird, and architectural art with decorative matting used by interior designers, sold in galleries and shown in museum collections. The prints are charming and wonderful examples of decorative art and decorative paper that complement botanical artwork. Many contemporary artists and framers believe that decorative matting is still very relevant and complementary for botanical artwork. [It should be noted that NESBA/ASBA have specific show standards for framing and matting that do not include decorative additions.]
Short History of Decorative Matting: French mats
Traditional French matting is an embellishment technique used historically for engravings and botanicals. It started by framers creating carefully inked border lines using a ruling pen and subsequently filling the space between two of the lines with a watercolor wash. The addition of gilded tape, outer washes and marbled papers further enhanced these beautiful mats. French mats were primarily used in framing of Old Master drawings, botanical, natural history, portrait, sporting and architectural prints.
French dealers and collectors adopted the use of hand-ruled borders with washes and bands of gold. They favored more subtle colors, usually on creamy paper with green, blue, or rose washes and lines in charcoal or brown. By the 19th century, advances in paper making and glass production made it affordable to display framed drawings and watercolors in middle class homes. During the age of plant exploration, prints and paintings of these animal, insect and plant subjects were a popular mode of decoration. Copies of roses and lilies by Pierre Joseph Redouté (1759-1840), a well-known botanist and artist, were almost always presented in charming and colorfully decorated French mats.
During the 19th century, hunting scenes, landscapes and portraits were popular in England. The English mats created at this time were similar to those from France but at times had darker bands with opaque lines, a style that worked well in dark interiors and in contrast with the maple and gold frames that were popular.
French mats continued to be popular into the 20th century and are still used today by interior designers. Antique botanical and bird prints coordinated well with the “English” look that was popular in the 20th century. These were often presented in elaborate French mats that included many lines and bands of marbled paper.
Why consider this method of presenting your art work?
-To contrast and enhance the botanical image with lines and bands of color
-To provide depth to the overall artwork and draw the eye to the image
-To distinguish your artwork in galleries and the marketplace
-To create antique or classic print framing for your artwork
Style Examples
French matting techniques have been revived as custom framers look for ways to enhance the viewing experience by presenting art in coordinated artistic matting. Hand drawn lines around the opening of the window mat also direct the eye from the frame into the artwork giving it a special setting and depth. Initially the designs were soft shades and muted colors but contemporary designs use dark colors and bold pastels. Techniques include:
-Lines made with a straight edge and ruling pen in black, metallic or other colors that complement the image
-Bands of color using watercolor washes, gouache or metallic paint
-Bands made of traditional or contemporary marbleized paper that accent the artwork
-Gilded bands using gold ink or gold leaf adhered to the mat board
-Painted or gilded bevel for the opening to the image
Want to Learn More?
Resources & Material Sources:
Facebook Group: French Matting community
Youtube video: Ursula Hobson Fine Art Framing, parts 1&2
Books: The Art of Decorative Matting Sylvie Robine, Lyon & Burford, Publishers English translation, 1997
*Search museum collections: as an example Victoria & Albert Museum collections: https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O114266/citron-lemon-citrus-limonimedica-drawing-leonardi-vincenzo/ (Citrus previously shown was downloaded with permission to use for educational purposes)
Material Sources
Marbled papers: Talas online, Dick Blick, John Neal Books: Inks, Coliro Finetec mica paints, Dr. Martin’s Spectralite ink 18 carat gold: https://www.johnnealbooks.com/prod_detail_list/paint-ink
Framers in MA area: Ask your framer or call one of the following framers who advertise French matting for custom frames:
-Stanhope Frames, Somerville, MA: https://stanhopeframers.com/services/
-Towne Gallery Framing, Lennox, MA: https://townegalleryframing.com/services/
-Oliver Brothers, Beverly, MA: https://oliverbrothersonline.com/custom-picture-framing/liners-and-mats/
-Lauren Clark Fine Art, Great Barrington, MA: https://www.laurenclarkfineart.com/framing/ For French matting and marbled papers.
Thinking of preparing your own mat? If you want to make your own decorative mat, consult the following:
Review Youtube videos parts 1&2 Ursula Hobson Fine Art Framing.
Applying lines on the mat: see Logan Graphic how to apply lines: https://www.logangraphic.com/learning-center/complete-picture-framing-guide/adding-decorative-ink-lines-mats.php.
Create a template first, and then practice on paper the size of your mat before drawing or painting on your matting material. Always draw out the design of lines and bands with a light pencil mark first to assure design consistency, balance and harmony.
Start initially with decorative lines; then you may want to add a band of light watercolor to enhance but not overwhelm your image.
With continued success you may want to include marbled, other decorative paper or gilded paper cut in a band also (mitered corners are preferred). The additional lines and bands will require you to use a wider space on the mat to include your design. As a convention not more than 1/2 the side/top/bottom of the mat space should be decorated. *There are numerous conventions in framing and matting that suggest placement of lines, bands of color, band widths etc., - a subject suitable for further research.
Materials you may need:
-Mats from an online framer e.g. American Frame, Dick Blick or other art store for pre-cut archival mats
-Black, colored or metallic ink
-Ruler/straight edge; 45 degree square to miter corners for lines and cut paper
-1/4 - 1/2 inch strip of gilding or metallic paper
-Gouache or water color paint for bands of color wash
-Coliro finetec colored/metallic paint, Dr. Martin’s metallic paint for bands of color
-Marbled paper; Lineco Neutral PH Adhesive to adhere marbled paper to mat board
-Ruling pen, straight edge or colored ink pens
