QUESTION OF THE WEEK: June 28, 2021.
Do you have a question and want to possibly be featured? E-mail me here and I’ll do my best to answer. Be sure to include QUESTION OF THE WEEK as the subject line. Keep in mind my answers here are mostly general and should not take the place of a formal appraisal. 
QUESTION: “In recent years, I have started collecting original oil paintings from well-known artists. In what circumstances should I replace an original frame? Is a painting with an original frame more valuable?” Kim from Winnetka, Illinois.
ANSWER: Frames typically don’t have a direct impact on a painting’s value and I don’t necessarily assume a frame is original because it could have been swapped out by previous owners. If you can prove the frame was constructed by the artist, that could change things. But generally that is not the case
However, frames typically have an indirect impact on a painting’s value.
Frames should compliment the art and its surroundings and provide some protection. If it fails to do these things then replacing the exiting frame is permissible in my opinion. A frame may help a painting’s presentation and provide some curb appeal, but ultimately it’s the artwork itself that determines value.
Have more questions? E-mail me at grantmiller@grantmillerappraisals.com. In Illinois and looking for an art appraiser? Call or text me at 813-240-4586 (Chicago and elsewhere).