E-Tip: Art of Framing: Dan Robbins





The elusive nature of art captivates all of us at one time or another in our lives, and many people seek the peace and sense of accomplishment that producing their own  work provides.  This spirit was tapped back in 1950 when Dan Robbins helped to create the first Paint by Numbers kit in cooperation with Max S. Klein, the owner of Palmer Paint Company in Detroit.  At one point as many as twelve million paint-by-number kits were sold per year.  Though demand dwindled in the late 1950’s, Robbins’ designs have since become both collectible treasures and the subject of museum exhibitions, often as sociological artifacts.

A commercial artist, Robbins has always recognized that what he does straddles the line between art and craft, but he’s rightfully proud of this.  His work has allowed many who would not otherwise have the expertise or time to paint to enjoy a creative outlet.  And who’s to say how many budding artists were inspired to great things through his kits?

In March of 2001 The Smithsonian Museum opened an exhibit called “Paint by Numbers: Accounting for Taste in the 1950’s.”  For the exhibition catalog, Robbins designed an image called “Manhattan Skyline” to appear on the inside front and back covers.  Later, the image was to be made available as a paint-by-numbers kit, but September 11, 2001 made the project, whose image was dominated by the Twin Towers, impossible.  Robbins has since re-imagined the design, this time with the Towers ghosted.  A portion of the sales of “Gone But Not Forgotten” will help support the non-profit organization “Voices of 9/11,” a group which advocates on behalf of those families affected by the tragedy. 

We’ve framed “Gone But Not Forgotten” three ways: for contemporary serenity, dream-like reflection and narrative simplicity.


The Art of Framing

Thrifty Ease-
The dark mat and matching, narrow metal frame quiet the vibrant colors while bringing a crisp, contemporary feel to the gripping image.  Through contrast, the dark treatment also draws the eye to the lightest objects in the image: the ghosted towers.  This creates drama in a sophisticated, subtle way.   


Print: Gone But Not Forgotten (20" X 13 5/16")
Frame: Radius Colorcast metal frame- Black RC20 (23 3/4 X 17 1/16)
Top Mat: Smooth Black (white core) CBW221 (23 3/4" X 17 1/16") Rectangle Top:2" Sides:2" Bottom:2"
Acrylic: Standard Acrylic AAS (23 3/4" X 17 1/16")
Mounting Board: Standard MTBS (23 3/4" X 17 1/16")

Framing Treatment Total: $39.97


Gallery Ready-
The titanium gray frame offers a contemporary flair expressed in wood.  Added to a bottom mat in dusty purple, this subdues the image’s stormy feel.  By echoing the piece’s more restful hues, the treatment also emphasizes the image’s dream-like quality and its attempt to capture memory in image. 


Print: Gone But Not Forgotten (20" x 13 5/16")
Frame: Studio - Titanium 2611 (25 3/4" X 20 1/16")
Top Mat: Egg White CS9506 (25 3/4" X 20 1/16") Rectangle Top:2 1/2" Sides:2 1/2" Bottom:3 1/2"
Bottom Mat: Purple Haze CS9561 (25 3/4" X 20 1/16") Rectangle Top:3" Sides:3" Bottom:4"
Acrylic: Standard Acrylic AAS (25 3/4" X 20 1/16")
Mounting Board: Archival MTBA (25 3/4" X 20 1/16")

Framing Treatment Total: $114.20 plus FREE shipping!


Fine Design-
Layered mats in neutral colors and a classic black wood frame in an extra high profile lends presence and weight but still lets the image tell its own story.  The three mats are carefully proportioned to avoid the look of a staircase—none are the same width—and arranged with the widest, lightest mat on top and the most narrow, darkest mat in the middle.  The bottom mat is between the other two in width and color, and it is carefully matched to the image’s sky.  This ensures the image has depth, but does not appear to recede as it would if the bottom and middle mats were reversed.


Print: Gone But Not Forgotten (20" x 13 5/16")
Frame: Infinity - wood collection- - Black 51407 (27 3/4" X 21 1/16")
Top Mat: Pure White 8655 (27 3/4 X 21 1/16) Rectangle Top:2 7/8" Sides:2 7/8" Bottom:2 7/8"
Middle Mat: Board- Natural Black 8663 (27 3/4 X 21 1/16) Rectangle Top:3 1/4" Sides:3 1/4" Bottom:3 1/4"
Bottom Mat: Stone 8674 (27 3/4 X 21 1/16) Rectangle Top:4" Sides:4" Bottom:4"
Acrylic: UV Non-Glare Acrylic AAUVNG (27 3/4" X 21 1/16")
Mounting Board: Archival Mounting Board MTBA (27 3/4" X 21 1/16")

Framing Treatment Total: $202.90 plus FREE shipping!





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