How a special visit to ICAS Framers turned a treasured memory of Japan into a beautifully presented, preserved work of art.
A Special Visit, A Lifetime of Memories
Every artwork has a story, but some carry memories far beyond the image itself. We recently had the pleasure of welcoming Inessa to ICAS Vilas Fine Art Gallery with a rather special Japanese woodblock print, a treasured token of the many years she spent living and working in Japan.
For Inessa, Japan was more than a place where she worked. It had become part of her personal journey, filled with experiences, cultural discoveries, and lasting memories. Before returning home, she acquired a distinctive Japanese woodblock print associated with one of Japan’s most celebrated artists, Katsushika Hokusai. It was a piece that would allow her to carry a little of Japan’s artistic heritage and the memories of her time there into the next chapter of her life.
Introducing Katsushika Hokusai: A Master of Japanese Woodblock Art
Katsushika Hokusai (1760–1849) remains one of the most influential artists in Japanese history. Known for his extraordinary imagination, technical skill, and understanding of nature, Hokusai transformed traditional Japanese woodblock printing into an art form admired worldwide.
He is perhaps best known for The Great Wave off Kanagawa, one of the most recognisable images in art history.
Another remarkable achievement was his illustrated series One Hundred Views of Mount Fuji, first published in 1834.
In this collection, Hokusai explores the mountain not simply as a landscape but as a continual presence in Japanese life. His illustrations reveal everyday activities, traditional architecture, changing weather and the relationship between people and their natural surroundings. Inessa’s print captures this beautifully.
Two figures occupy the foreground, seemingly engaged in a moment of everyday life beside a traditional thatched building. Their clothing, gestures, and surrounding details invite us to imagine the stories unfolding between them.
Beyond the figures, Mount Fuji rises quietly in the distance.
Although small within the composition, the mountain becomes its spiritual and visual anchor. The eye is naturally drawn through the detailed foreground towards the peaceful landscape beyond.
What makes the illustration particularly fascinating is the craftsmanship of the woodblock technique. Fine lines, delicate textures, and delicate variations in black ink create an extraordinary sense of movement, depth, and atmosphere.
The ICAS Approach: Achieving the Right Balance
When Inessa brought her artwork to ICAS, it already had a generous, rich cream-coloured, museum-style mount. Although the mount provided space around the delicate print, we felt its colour was competing with the warmth and subtle character of the image. Our challenge was not simply to choose a new frame. It was to create a presentation that respected the artwork’s Japanese origins, complemented the intricate woodblock craftsmanship and, most importantly, reflected Inessa’s personal connection to Japan.
At ICAS, our approach to bespoke picture framing begins with understanding the artwork, its visual balance and the story behind it. For this particular piece, colour became the starting point.
Inspired by the Delicate Colours of Japanese Cherry Blossom
We introduced a carefully selected warm pinkish-grey mount, a gentle colour inspired by the soft tones of Japanese cherry blossom. The intention was not to overpower the monochrome print but to introduce a subtle atmospheric connection to Japan. The muted pink-grey complements the natural warmth of the aged paper while keeping the finely printed black ink crisp and distinctive.
By softening the contrast between the artwork and its surrounding mount, we created a more harmonious transition, encouraging the viewer’s eye to travel naturally into the composition. The two figures become the storytellers in the foreground, while the distant silhouette of Mount Fuji gains a greater sense of space and tranquillity. This is where thoughtful framing can make a remarkable difference. A carefully chosen mount colour can influence how we experience an image without changing the artwork itself.
A Simple Wooden Frame with a Touch of Gold
Next, we considered the frame profile. Rather than adding ornate or heavily decorative moulding, we chose a simple, flat wooden frame with a subtle gold-washed finish. The wood’s natural texture brings cosiness and charm, while the restrained gold highlights gently echo the print’s aged tones and the woodblock’s fine craftsmanship. The finish also complements the artwork’s traditional character without attempting to imitate a Japanese frame. By keeping the profile simple, we ensured the frame served its purpose: bringing the presentation together while letting Hokusai’s intricate composition remain the main attraction. The completed frame measures 37.5 × 30.5 cm, creating an intimate presentation suited to displaying a small, finely detailed historical image.
Protecting the Artwork for Future Generations
With a work like this, preservation is as important as presentation. We completed the framing using UV-protective museum glass, selected for its excellent optical clarity plus reduced reflections.
This allows Inessa to appreciate the delicate linework and tonal qualities of the woodblock print while providing important protection against ultraviolet light. The combination of carefully considered mounting, an appropriate frame profile and protective glazing reflects our ICAS philosophy of bespoke framing:
Preserve. Protect. Present.
UV glazing helps reduce light-related deterioration, although the artwork should still be displayed away from direct sunlight and excessive environmental changes.
More Than a Framed Picture: A Personal Connection to Japan
For us, the most rewarding part of this project was understanding what the artwork meant to Inessa. The two figures, the traditional Japanese surroundings and Mount Fuji in the distance, are not simply elements of a historical illustration. Together, they give a visual connection to a country that played an important part in her life.
We recommended that Inessa display the completed artwork in a prominent place in her home, somewhere she spends time regularly. Perhaps in a favourite sitting room, reading area or a quiet space where she can enjoy the image and reflect on her memories. Every glance could become an opportunity to revisit a familiar place, remember a special experience or enjoy the beauty of Japanese art. And that, to us, is the true value of creative bespoke framing.
It is not simply about surrounding a picture with wood and glass. It is about understanding the relationship between the artwork, its owner and the memories it represents.
At ICAS Vilas Fine Art Gallery, we believe a thoughtfully framed artwork should do more than decorate a wall. It should preserve a story worth remembering.
ICAS Vilas Fine Art Gallery
21 Commerce Way, Garden Square Shopping Centre, Letchworth Garden City, SG6 3DN
www.vilasart.co.uk | info@vilasart.co.uk
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