Frame c. 19th century

This gilded frame, created by an anonymous artist, invites us to consider what it means to be both inside and outside, included and excluded. Frames like this one were often commissioned by the wealthy to display portraits of themselves and their families, reinforcing social status and identity. The ornate details and gold leaf speak to a history of luxury and power, yet the absence of a painting shifts our focus. What narratives are usually framed and whose stories are left out? The frame, in its emptiness, becomes a mirror reflecting the viewers and our own place within the social hierarchy. Consider the act of framing itself. How does it dictate what we value and how we see the world? Perhaps this frame challenges us to question traditional representations and to seek alternative narratives, allowing space for new voices and perspectives to emerge.