Pair of frames. Holland, 18th century

Pair of frames. Holland, 18th century.
Oak and ebony.
Measurements: 100 x 83 cm (exterior); 79 x 63 cm (interior).

As in this pair of oval frames we can appreciate, the Dutch frames of the 17th century are distinguished by a sober and architectural elegance that privileges depth over exuberant ornamentation, specifically designed to enhance the luminism of Flemish and Dutch painting. Their main characteristic is the use of dark woods, predominantly ebony or ebonized fruitwoods, carved in stepped moldings that create a "window effect" into the work. The most iconic decoration of these pieces is the guilloche or ripple molding, a mechanical technique that generates rhythmic patterns of light and shadow in the black wood, avoiding the use of gold to align with the austere aesthetics of the Protestant bourgeoisie.