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ART
WHEN
TWO
BECOME
ONE
The underlying
principle in uniting a
work of art with a frame
is to strike a balance
between “contrast and
harmony,” Shar says.
>>
TAP ON THE
ARTWORK
lebotte, they go to the grand sixfloor Lowy townhouse on East 80th
Street to pick out a frame. They’ve
most notably made the frames
that showcase Van Gogh’s “Starry
Night” and Cezanne’s “The Bather”
at the Museum of Modern Art.
Most of Lowy’s frames were
made in Europe, especially Spain,
France and Italy, and sell for between $15,000-$50,000. One of
the most valuable frames on hand
right now, though, is American.
Larry’s son Brad, who represents
the third generation of Shars to
work at Lowy, estimates it will sell
for $150,000, probably to a “frame
collector” who will display it as art
object in itself—without a painting
inside. Designed by 19th century
architect Stanford White, the ornate, gilded number hangs hidden
behind a thick grey velvet curtain in
the Lowy’s showroom. Gold never
tarnishes, and it remains a mark of
prestige for many. (“Especially Russians,” Shar laughed.)
Lowy specializes in antique
frames, which are found everywhere from antique stores in Europe to auction houses. Some date
back as far as the 14th century.
Shar particularly admires the Spanish and Italian frames from the 16th
and 17th century in his collection,
HUFFINGTON
10.28.12