Sep 19, 2024

Framing for the future

Assistant Conservator Julia Campbell-Such brings the AGO’s collection of historical frames into the light

By Andrea-Jo Wilson
Composite image of same Jan Kupecky painting in 2 different frames

Before and after reframing: Jan Kupecký, Study for a Self Portrait (c. 1725), oil on canvas mounted on paperboard. Overall: 41.9 x 30.8 cm. Gift of Dr. and Mrs. J.L. Uvira, Hamilton, Ontario, 1981. © Art Gallery of Ontario. Image on left was artwork as originally gifted to AGO. Image on right reflects painting as it appears now, in a Louis XV-style oak frame, from 1715-1771, gifted to AGO in 1997 by anonymous collector. This frame was recently conserved by AGO Assistant Curator Julia Campbell-Such.

Home to one of the largest and most important collections of frames in any museum worldwide, the AGO has of late undertaken significant efforts to restore and catalogue them. The goal of this unique partnership between the curatorial and conservation departments?  To draw new attention to these incredible, often overlooked works of art, and to change how we look at beloved paintings in the AGO collection. 

“Not merely ornamental, a frame offers protection for an artwork, and an outlet for the artist and patron's artistic vision. However, in the course of an artwork's life, it may be paired with many frames. They impact, for better or worse, how we perceive a work of art, its maker, its intention,” says Adam Harris Levine, Associate Curator of European Art at the AGO. “What an artwork comes into the collection wearing, is often neither historically accurate, nor what the artist would have wished. This makes the AGO’s collection of historical frames and the opportunities it affords, so exciting and meaningful.”  

Evidence of this incredible work is currently on view on Level 1, in Frank P. Wood Gallery 123, where the AGO’s Assistant Conservator of Frames Julia Campbell- Such has just conserved a frame, for Jan Kupecký,’s Study for a Self Portrait c. 1725.  

“Self-portraits are so intimate: they are how an artist wanted us to picture them for the rest of time. The painting was preciously framed in a much more modern way, and came from a world Kupecký, never saw and never could have imagined. We found a perfect match for the painting in our frames collection: of the right time period, the right style, the right dimensions, and Julia’s brilliant conservation treatment has let us see this wonderful painting anew.” 

composite image highlighting area of treatment on frame

Before and after image highlighting treatment by AGO Associate Conservator Julia Campbell-Such to a French Louis XV-style frame from the AGO Collection ( 1715-1774). Frame is oak with gilding. Gift of an anonymous collector, 1997. 

Before the Kupecký, could be reframed, however, some conservation work was required to replace areas of loss and dullness. Campbell-Such replaced several broken and missing ornaments, gilding them to match the original.  She also gently cleaned the original gilding, revealing areas that had originally been burnished to a bright sheen but had been reduced to a muddy, dull colour over the years.  Finally, she constructed a new liner to safely fit and house the painting in its new frame. 

Campbell-Such has a professional background in cabinetry and an Master's degree in object conservation. She also credits her recent experience at the AGO, working under Hubert Baija, the Rijksmuseum’s retired Conservator of Frames, and alongside Scott Cameron, the AGO’s Senior Framer, for her expertise.  

Photo of Julia Campbell-Such, Assistant Conservator, Frames, AGO

Julia Campbell-Such, Assistant Conservator, Frames, AGO. Photo by Craig Boyko. 

“Frame conservation is an extremely under-represented specialty in the field, especially in Canada,” says Campbell-Such. “Opportunities like this one, to train under an experienced European frame conservator and practice on such a unique and important collection of historic frames, are rare. I’m very lucky to now be among the small number of people in the country with these skills.” 

Catch Julia Campbell-Such and Adam Harris Levine on Thursday, September 25, when they open Many Lives: Picture Frames in Context, a free two-day virtual symposium hosted by the AGO, featuring international experts. Keynote talks will be by Hubert Baija and Lynn Roberts.  For more information or to register, visit ago.ca/events/many-lives-picture-frames-context. 

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