In contemplating an Old Master painting, the frame is generally taken for granted. It is a fait accompli, and most of us may be unaware of how powerfully the frame can influence our perception and enjoyment of the picture within. The marriage of the two may be harmonious or discordant, enhancing or depressing, or somewhere in between. Most private and public collections contain pictures the true impact of which has been compromised by their frames - often in an insidious way - for decades or even centuries. But would we necessarily recognize the problem for what it is - or its extent?

The effect of the presentation can only be properly assessed, firstly by evaluating the current frame, and secondly by seeing the picture in alternative settings. Assuming that the owner of the picture may be suspicious of the 'performance' of a given frame, both steps might seem daunting. The first involves a knowledge of the history of frames; the second a situation in which appropriate alternatives may be shown. The following sections demonstrate how framing problems may be researched and solved.