One of the best parts of working on exhibitions drawn from the ZMA’s extensive permanent collection is the opportunity it provides for a look at some of the hidden gems at the museum. During the preparation of Sketching American Modernism, I discovered a painting that captured my interest. The work was the Portrait of Mrs. Helen McCoy Storer, c. 1910 by Charles Alden Gray (1857-1933). While arguably not by one of the most well-known artists in our collection, it was, at that moment, the most intriguing.
After examining the artwork, it became clearly apparent that a new frame might greatly improve, not only the visitor experience with the painting, but present an opportunity for the museum to continue protecting and preserving artworks for exhibition and education. Visitors to a museum do not always realized how important a frame is to their enjoyment of the work. Not only does the frame protect and support the artwork, but their design and materials must complement and enhance the artwork without overpowering it. In this portrait of Mrs. Storer, we wanted a frame that was correct for the time period, but also subtle enough to not detract from the subject matter. With this in mind, it was essential to understand the importance of the genre and the significance of the artist. …show more content…
They are distinct from other subject matters because of what they represent, how they are produced and the role they play as an object of use and display. Portraits are often commissioned by the sitter or as a gift to an individual. However, not all portraits were created this way. In this particular instance, Gray actively sought his subject, meeting Mrs. Storer just after
After examining the artwork, it became clearly apparent that a new frame might greatly improve, not only the visitor experience with the painting, but present an opportunity for the museum to continue protecting and preserving artworks for exhibition and education. Visitors to a museum do not always realized how important a frame is to their enjoyment of the work. Not only does the frame protect and support the artwork, but their design and materials must complement and enhance the artwork without overpowering it. In this portrait of Mrs. Storer, we wanted a frame that was correct for the time period, but also subtle enough to not detract from the subject matter. With this in mind, it was essential to understand the importance of the genre and the significance of the artist. …show more content…
They are distinct from other subject matters because of what they represent, how they are produced and the role they play as an object of use and display. Portraits are often commissioned by the sitter or as a gift to an individual. However, not all portraits were created this way. In this particular instance, Gray actively sought his subject, meeting Mrs. Storer just after