Page:The museum, (Jackson, Marget Talbot, 1917).djvu/154

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THE MUSEUM

lettering not too prominent and the consequence is that one has to strain one's eyes in order to read the label. Perhaps the most successful method is that adopted in the Alte Pinakothek in Munich. Here the label is printed on a long narrow strip of gold cardboard toned to match the frame and placed on the lower part in such a way that the strip runs the full length, and wherever possible, lies on a flat member of the frame itself. These labels are usually about ¾ inch high and the letters are ½ inch in height; the subject matter being very concisely put, giving the name of the artist, his dates or school, and a short title for the picture. Further details are left for the catalogue. One very important point to be considered in labelling is the desirability of having the information as concise as possible and having it all on one label. To have the name of the artist, his dates, and the name of the picture on one label, the name of the donor on another, and the catalogue number on a third, is a very common and disagreeable error. Everything should be done to avoid spottiness in appearance. Each additional bit of brass or cardboard added to a frame detracts from the continuity of the impression given by the picture.

Glass in front of a painting should be avoided