The frame on Johan Zoffany’s Elizabeth Farren as Hermione in ‘The Winter’s Tale ‘, c.1780, is an English frame from the mid C18th., perhaps from 1750-60.
A very similar swept edge frame has been noted on Reynold’s Mrs Abingdon, 1771, in the Yale Centre for British Art.
The frame has been extended by adding about 6 inches to the height and 6 inches to the width, the addition of approximately 3 inches either side of each centre. Prior to cleaning and restoration in 2015 the overall width of the section had also been increased by an additional decorative strip at the sight edge. The frame had also suffered from wear and tear. The high points of the outer swept profile had been broken and worn, flattening the movement around the outer edge. It is shown here cleaned, repaired and with the additional strip at the sight edge removed, fitted to the cleaned and restored painting. Previously the frame covered an extra margin of the painting on all sides.
Also provided here is an image of the frame in its original proportions, created digitally.
The frame reads best in this form. The curves are more symmetrical and the overall impact more balanced.
The painting was cleaned and restored in 2015.