Create an informal look with unframed art

Whether they’re propped up nonchalantly against a wall or hung in a group, unframed oil paintings give a casual, contemporary feel

There’s something unfussy and refreshingly honest about an unframed piece of art. When the edges of the canvas are laid bare with rusty pins, frayed cotton and corner folds all visible, the artist seems somehow more tangible and the resulting look is relaxed and rustic in contrast to the stark formality a frame often lends a piece of art.

A painting simply stretched over a canvas lends itself to leaning art too – propping it up on a ledge, bookshelf or dado rail – which adds to this casual vibe. It’s also ideal if you want to refresh a room and swap out a picture, without having to worry about filling and drilling holes as you would with a hanging wall display.

Antiques dealer Spencer Swaffer, who always has a good selection of vintage paintings in stock, says unframed oils are particularly sought-after at the moment. ‘They lend a feeling of authenticity, as if you are viewing the canvas straight from the artist’s studio,’ he explains. ‘It’s all about a simpler, more approachable look to decorating which uses real surfaces to add comfort to a room.’

There is also a more practical side to selling unframed oil paintings. ‘Antique and vintage oil paintings often arrive in dreadfully inappropriate frames, which dominate the art,’ reveals Spencer. ‘If you chuck these horrors away, you can watch the paintings come to life.’

So next time a portrait, still life or landscape catches your eye, don’t be put off by a frame that you’re not too keen on. Take a leap of faith and carefully remove the frame to create a deconstructed look, suggesting it was picked up fresh from the artist’s studio.

While an unadorned canvas – perhaps depicting traditional scenes – naturally lends itself to a rustic or period interior, it can also work with a more contemporary interior, depending on the style of artwork you choose.

Obviously prices vary hugely in this field. You can get lucky and pick up a beautiful little oil on canvas for £10 in a charity shop, or splurge thousands at auction on a large or important piece of art. Follow our tips on buying original art to get yourself started.

The British Antique Dealers’ Association warns that oil paintings suffer from exposure to fluctuations in temperature, so always avoid hanging close to a heat source such as a fireplace or radiator (unless not in use). Direct sunlight can fade colours and cleaning should only be done by a professional restorer, although it’s fine to dust occasionally with a soft artist’s brush, assuming there’s no loose paint.

WORDS: ELLIE TENNANT