Fred Stein's photography
A work of art only unfolds its full effect in the right setting. But what if every work is unique? The exhibition "Fleeting Moments" by photographer Fred Stein at the Leica Gallery Stuttgart impressively demonstrates how individual passe-partouts are not just a technical necessity, but a crucial element of curatorial design.
Fred Stein was a pioneer of photography whose work ranged from iconic portraits to groundbreaking street photography. As one of the first users of the revolutionary Leica I, the first mass-produced 35mm camera, he enjoyed a unique artistic freedom: he determined the framing of each subject himself. This creative independence led to a variety of image formats.
The curatorial challenge: Harmony in detail
Dr. Verena Jendrus, gallery owner of the Leica Gallery Stuttgart, faced the challenge of transforming 40 to 50 selected photographs by Stein into a harmonious and aesthetically compelling exhibition. Because the human eye seeks symmetry and order, different and closely spaced formats can disrupt perception and distract from the artwork itself. The solution lies in the passe-partout—the cardboard frame placed between the artwork and the frame.
"The framing is the moment when the small, thin stack of delivered prints is transformed into the volume of the exhibition."
Dr. Verena Jendrus, gallery owner of the Leica Gallery Stuttgart
It not only creates visual distance and focuses attention on the image, but also fulfills an important conservation function through physical separation. Custom-made passe-partouts with compensating border widths for each individual photograph allow the use of frames with the same outer dimensions, creating a sense of visual calm in the exhibition.
The technical solution: Precision through configuration
The individual production of each passe-partout was simplified by using the digital frame configurator. This tool allowed Dr. Jendrus to determine the exact dimensions for each print and thus gain a sense of the effect of the framed image, photorealistically rendered in a 3D view. This enabled the proportions, border widths, and even the color of the passe-partout to be optimally matched to each artwork. A crucial technical detail is that the passe-partout opening is 3 millimeters smaller than the image dimensions on all sides. This ensures that the image is held securely and aligned without obscuring too much of the final result.
The passe-partout: More than just a frame
The passe-partout is a multifunctional tool that goes far beyond mere decoration: it gives the image more depth, enhances its impact, and allows smaller formats to appear larger. The choice of border width and the positioning of the cutout are crucial for visual harmony.
High-quality, acid-free, and age-resistant museum board protects the artwork in the long term. The distance from the glass prevents delicate surfaces from direct contact.
The exhibition of Fred Stein's works makes it clear that the quality and precision of the framing are the final, crucial step that transforms a collection of prints into a coherent, curated exhibition. It is the bridge between the individual photograph and the museum exhibit.
Dr. Verena Jendrus
She is an art and photography historian with a research focus on the photographic portrait and has headed the Leica Gallery Stuttgart since 2023.
All images:
© Holger Strehlow, c/o Leica Store Stuttgart