Museum Collection Frames: Plein Air Style Frames

At Jerry’s Artarama, we offer one of the finest selections of plein air frames for artists in a wide variety of styles, finishes, and sizes. Plein air painting frames feature a simple yet elegant design that beautifully complements artwork while keeping the focus on the painting itself. Ideal for landscapes, cityscapes, portraits, and outdoor studies, these classic wood frames provide professional presentation for artwork created both in the studio and outdoors.

Artists choose plein air frames because they are lightweight, durable, portable, and visually timeless. Available in popular finishes including gold, black, white, silver, and mahogany, plein air frames pair beautifully with oil paintings, acrylic paintings, gouache, watercolor paintings, pastel artwork, drawings, and fine art prints.

Frame Your Artwork With Elegant Simplicity

Plein air frames are designed with wide-profile wood mouldings and clean lines that enhance artwork without overwhelming it. Their understated appearance makes them a favorite choice for professional artists, galleries, art shows, exhibitions, and home décor. Many artists prefer the traditional 2–3 inch wide profile because it adds visual depth and a museum-style presentation to smaller paintings and studies.

Jerry’s Artarama offers quality-made art frames crafted specifically for artists. Our frames are available in many popular standard sizes and coordinate beautifully with artwork created using acrylic paints, oil paints, watercolor, gouache, ink, and mixed media techniques.

Whether you are searching for plein air frames, museum quality frames, or canvas floater frames, Jerry’s Artarama offers professional-quality framing solutions at affordable prices. Since 1968, artists have trusted Jerry’s for high-quality art supplies, exceptional value, and one of the largest selections of artist frames online.

Frequently Asked Questions About Plein Air Frames

What is a plein air frame?

A plein air frame, also called a plein-aire frame, is a wide-profile wood frame with minimal ornamentation designed to enhance and protect artwork created outdoors or in the studio. These frames are especially popular for landscape paintings, small studies, and traditional fine art because their clean design keeps attention on the artwork itself.

Most plein air frames feature solid wood construction, elegant finishes, and wide mouldings approximately 2–3 inches wide. Common sizes range from 6x8 inches to 16x20 inches.

How do I choose the right plein air frame?

Choose a plein air frame by matching the frame size and rabbet depth to your artwork or canvas panel. Popular plein air frame sizes include 6x8, 8x10, 9x12, 11x14, and 16x20 inches. Select a finish that complements your artwork, such as gold leaf, silver leaf, black, white, or mahogany.

Artists often prefer solid wood plein air frames with simple, wide mouldings because they provide a professional gallery-style appearance while remaining lightweight and durable for travel and display.

What is the difference between a plein air frame and a floater frame?

Plein air frames and floater frames are both popular choices for displaying artwork, but they create very different visual styles. A plein air frame uses a wide wood moulding that overlaps the edges of the artwork, creating a classic gallery-style presentation commonly used for oil paintings, landscapes, and traditional fine art.

A floater frame is designed with a small gap between the canvas and frame, making the artwork appear to “float” inside the frame. Floater frames are commonly used for modern gallery-wrap canvas paintings and contemporary artwork. Artists often choose plein air frames for traditional elegance and floater frames for a clean, modern presentation.

Best Seller: Museum Collection Plein Aire Frames