A FRAME
for the Ages Photos Kara Duval
A picture frame is one of those things that, when done correctly, seamlessly enhances an image and, when not done correctly, is a bit of a sore thumb. A good framemaker knows this inherently. Here in Santa Fe, one such framemaker stands out above the rest: Marty Horowitz, president of Goldleaf Framemakers.
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o walk through Horowitz’ showroom and studio is to walk through time. “Over here, we have Spanish Colonial and Italian frames sorted by the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries,” he gestures to one corner. “If you go to any old shop, buy a frame, put it on your painting, and then wonder why it doesn’t look right, well, maybe you put a French frame on an Italian painting. Most framers don’t know the history. They also don’t have the selection of hand-carved real-gold frames we carry.” His tour continues — here are American Impressionists, there’s the Taos school, in another corner are French frames dating from Louis the 13th, 14th, 15th and 16th. Don’t forget the dark Flemish
frames, or if you need a simple chopped frame, Horowitz has got you covered. “No matter what you walk in the door with, I have the right frame for you,” he says. The magic happens behind Horowitz’ showroom walls. The highly skilled staff can be found doing any number of tasks, from hand carving designs and meticulously sanding rough edges to painstakingly laying goldleaf and applying Horowitz’ signature patina or finish. The amount of work that goes into each frame is unbelievable, but as an assistant lays down the silk matting and overlays the gold frame around a client’s painting, the result is incomparable; the image instantly comes to life.
“This is really a 17th century frame shop,” Horowitz describes. “Our job is to replicate history. If you come in with a Matisse, I have a frame for you. If you come in with a Picasso, I have a frame for you. If you come in with a Van Dyke, I have a frame for you.” From frames designed by Fechin to Newcomb Macklin and everything in between, Horowitz’ expertise is endless. And should your painting or picture frame need restoration, it just so happens Goldleaf Framemakers has you covered there too. Horowitz is a master at his profession. His interest began at age 13 when he began making picture frames for 50 cents an hour in a small shop on Long Island, New York. He has been well known in the
TOP LEFT Frame restoration TOP RIGHT Hand carving 16th century Spanish frame MIDDLE LEFT Golden leaf courtesy of artist Tom Joyce MIDDLE RIGHT Marty Horowitz BOTTOM LEFT Fine art restoration
gilding industry for many years. His book, An Introduction to Water Gilding, is the bible for gilders internationally. His gilding courses at major industry trade shows are consistently sold out, and he continues to develop and refine his art, which is displayed in museums nationally. “The frame makes the art,” Horowitz reflects. “Everybody loves to come here because they love the gold, they love the designs and, more importantly, they know I’m not going to let them buy the wrong frame for their art. I look at frames as presentation; we’re presenting the art as it fits in history.” Goldleaf Framemakers 627 W. Alameda St. 505.988.5005 www.goldleafframemakers.com