Ask three different framers to define
conservation framing and you will likely get three different answers. Likewise, archival picture frames
and museum quality picture frames are ambiguous phrases and are often mis-used. The important
consideration is that framing has a dual purpose. In addition to providing a means of presentation, it
must provide for the protection of the artwork. It follows that the framimg and the frame must do no
harm and it must be possible to reverse everything done in the framing process. In other words, for an
archival picture frame, it must be that the artwork can be removed from the frame and retain all of its
original attributes.
As might be expected, there are many ways to accomplish the objective and even varying degrees of
protection often specific to the object being framed and the environment in which it will reside. At
Absolute! we can help with these decisions to assure that your conservation picture frame budget is
well spent.
References:
Interested in learning more? Following are links to several websites with greater detail.