Marrata frame c. 18th century

This elegant Maratta frame, now at the Minneapolis Institute of Art, was made by an anonymous artist. The frame is constructed from wood, carefully carved and then gilded, probably with gold leaf. Consider the labor involved in its making: the selection and preparation of the wood, the precise carving to create the ornate detailing, and the delicate application of the gold. These would have been highly specialized skills, typically honed over years of apprenticeship within a workshop setting. The shimmering gold finish, achieved through careful and repetitive work, is a visual testament to the value placed on the art it was intended to showcase. This level of craftsmanship speaks to a particular moment in time when hand skills were highly prized, and when artworks were often surrounded by equally impressive, handmade frames. This object invites us to consider the many hands that contributed to its creation, and the social hierarchies of labor embedded in its very form.