In the 17th and 18th centuries, France had become both the dominant political power and artistic center of Europe which paved the way for new developments in picture frame styles. These frames, both inspired by and named after their respective kings, were the definition of luxury and extravagance during the Baroque and Rococo movements. They featured complex and textural designs, organic asymmetrical patterns and hand carved motifs which extended beyond the frame’s rectangular boundaries. By the late 1700s, art in Europe had begun moving away from the idea of excess in favor of classic simplicity. This period, known as Neoclassicism, was the inspiration for frames created during the reign of Louis XVI. A clear departure from earlier styles, Louis XVI frames emphasize a square entablature, a guilloche back and classical symbols such as acanthus leaves and pearls.
