The role of a frame is modest: it highlights a painting on the wall and emphasizes its expressiveness. But in art collections such as the Tretyakov Gallery, there are as many frames as paintings – and they are no less varied and curious. Why are frames solemn and laconic, oval and rectangular, gilded and carved? Why is Karl Bryullov's Vespers framed like a carved window, and why are provincial coats of arms located around Ilya Repin's Reception of the Volost Elders? What are chasing and engraving, gold leaf and dessus-de-porte?

Author: Valentina Bialik, Valentina Belokhvostova
Publishing House: A+A
Year: 2022
Number of pages: 60
Cover type: paperback
Illustrators: Daria Zatsarnaya, Dmitry Mordvintsev