Novo-Hispanic frame; Charles II period, late 17th century.

Novo-Hispanic frame; Carlos II period, late seventeenth century.
Carved and gilded wood.
It has slight flaws.
Measurements: 35 x 40 cm; 87 x 84 x 6 cm.
Novo-Hispanic frame, made towards the end of the 17th century, during the reign of Charles II. Carved in wood and finely gilded, this object is an outstanding example of the baroque decorative art produced in the Viceroyalty of New Spain.
The structure presents a rich vegetal ornamentation and phytomorphic motifs, executed with a technical virtuosity that reveals the mastery of the Novo-Hispanic workshops. The presence of scrolls, flowers, and intertwined foliage, which unfold in a dynamic play of volumes and shadows, accentuated by the brightness of the gilding, is outstanding.
The frame adopts a quadrangular shape with staggered projections at the four ends, forming a complex and sculptural silhouette that breaks with the rigidity of the straight lines, typical of the late baroque. The symmetry in the arrangement of the elements and the use of prominent central motifs in each of the axes reinforce its ceremonial and sumptuary character.
This type of frame not only fulfilled a decorative function, but also a symbolic one, framing religious or secular portraits and elevating their importance through an exuberant and solemn visuality. As an object, it illustrates the fusion between European tradition and local contributions in the artistic production of New Spain.