The Impact of Lowy Scan

Since 1998, Lowy has been using a visual imaging system called Lowy Scan that allows you to see exactly how different frame selections would look on your work of art, without you - or the painting - ever leaving your home. According to Larry Shar, "Lowy Scan is the first effective tool we've had to make our period frames marketable on a global scale."

Now in its third full year of usage, art-industry professionals from across the country have found Lowy Scan invaluable. Helen Cooper, the Holcombe T. Green Curator of American Paintings and Sculpture at the Yale University Art Gallery, recently selected a frame for a work by Fitz Hugh Lane, "Lighthouse at Camden, Maine," dated 1851. After receiving a transparency and discussing the work, Lowy's Lisa Wyer identified three American gilt composition frames of appropriate size and orientation (all dating from the mid 19th century) and quickly forwarded the portfolio showing exactly how the work would look in the frames. But to Helen Cooper, the advantages of Lowy Scan go well beyond speed and thoroughness. "In the museum world you rarely make decisions without considerable discussion. Lowy's printouts are ideal because they allow the curators and the conservators to consider framing options without pressure. We can tack the images to a bulletin board, get input from the group and then make a well thought-out decision."

Ed Shein, a private dealer based in New England, sees three key advantages to Lowy Scan: convenience, accuracy and inspiration. "Since I'm not based in New York, the printouts are obviously a godsend, both in terms of minimizing trips to the city and in maximizing 'client' time while there," he recounts. Shein believes that the ability of Lowy Scan to "scale" the frame, so you see exactly how it will look in proportion to the painting, is critical. "There's simply no guesswork. But the most important thing," he continues with satisfaction, "is how the system enables you to experiment much more than if you were pulling frames out of bins." Shein recently sent Lowy a picture of a painting by American Modernist Charles Demuth and tells this story: "Usually this kind of art is put in ultra-simple custom frames. But Larry decided to play around a bit and found something completely out of left field - a dark, rich, polychromed 17th century Italian frame. And you know what? It was an inspired choice that looks incredible." Shein adds that they almost certainly wouldn't have found the frame without the capabilities of Lowy Scan.

But some of Lowy Scan's biggest fans are right down the street. Warren Adelson of Adelson Galleries, one of the premier dealers in fine American Impressionist art, estimates that he has framed over 100 works using the digital images. "It's an ideal way to involve a client in the framing process," Adelson asserts, "especially those that don't have the experience to evaluate a frame that might be unsized or in need of restoration." Ira Spanierman of Spanierman Galleries tells the story of "Sunset on the Arno" by Cole (1801 - 1848). "With a quick click of the mouse, Lowy found a 6" wide American gilt frame with delicate scrolling composition ornament. The frame was typical of the style that Cole was using and preferred for his paintings of this period."

To entice prospective buyers, both Christie's and Sotheby's often call upon Lowy to create portfolios showing examples of appropriate frame styles for poorly or unframed upcoming offerings.

Along with offering unrivalled speed and unprecedented access to Lowy's collection of over 4,000 antique frames, with Lowy Scan there can be no doubt of how a given frame can enhance a painting. And thanks to Lowy Scan, what was once a time-consuming, uncertain process is as simple as clicking a mouse.