To date we have no record of the original framing of the big version of McCubbin’s Lost from 1907, acquired in 1941 the year after the small version of 1886 was acquired. At some point a frame was constructed from simple decorative wood mouldings and fitted to the painting. The materials and look of the frame suggest the 1970s. (above)
A new frame was made for the painting in 1987. (top)
This frame references the wide cassetta style frames found on a number of Australian paintings from the late C19th. Several original examples exist in the collection.
It is a frame style that appears regularly in John Thallon’s ledger. The entries for McCubbin often suggest a bevelled form (see for instance the frame on McCubbin Winter Evening).
Wood, composition, false gold leaf.