A hot day
1888

• David DAVIES

This fluted inner scotia form of classical revival frame was one of Thallon’s most prevalent styles. The basic construction of these frames occurs in two forms. In one, the base of the profile is a straight line with the working edge built up and the slip fitting in behind the inner edge. The other form uses a small rebate at the inner edge to locate the slip. In this instance the rebate is about 3mm deep, and is intended to house a sheet of glass in front of the slip. The frame was retrieved from storage and after cleaning, restoration and the reconstruction of the slip was refitted to the painting in 1994.

Note

1 Hilary Maddocks, ‘Picture Framemakers in Melbourne c. 1860–1930’ in vol. 1, Frames, Melbourne Journal of Technical Studies in Art, University of Melbourne Conservation Service, 1999.

The frame is built up from composition ornaments on a wooden chassis, which is mitred at the corners. The mitres are covered with composition acanthus leaves. The leading edge ornament is a high-relief moulding of laurel and berry. The flutes of the scotia are carved in the wood. The taenia carries burnished water gilding on a black bole. The outer scotia is matte gilded on a white bole. As with other frames of this type, the working edge is constructed by the addition of a timber batten. Blocks provide the support for the slip.

The frame was found in a deteriorated condition in storage and was restored in 1994. Much of the surface is the original. The slip is a reconstruction.