History of the mat — ImageFramer for Mac

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The mat (&#;mount&#; in British English, or passé-partout in French) is a sheet of paper that resides between the image and the frame, creating a field of light or color around the picture. A mat provides multiple functions, both protective and aesthetic.

Here, we&#;ll explore the history of The Mat &#; where it came from, why it&#;s used, when this element of design appeared, and some of the changes it went through. There is a lot to tell!  After all, the history of mat begins back in the 13th century, when the history of the picture frame itself begins.

The Beginning

Initially, a mat was part of the frame and was made of wood. At the same time, for paper art or book pages, the mat was drawn around the main image right on the top of a piece of paper. This technique meant to emphasize the importance of an image, as if separating it from the frame and drawing in the eye&#;s focus.

(Check out &#;An Overview of the History of Matting&#; for additional history along with an interesting collection of matted art that shows mat transformation through the centuries.) 

The next step of the mat&#;s development was to become a separate wooden frame that was put under the primary frame. Usually, this wooden mat was covered with paper, leather or silk.

When mass use of paper started in the 15th century, the mat completely separated from the frame and became an independent element of picture framing decoration.  It was made from thin paper and had a simple, plain look.

Most engravers of those times loved using mats for their etchings and engravings (matted drawing is still a classical way of framing). As graphics were a quite popular form of art back then, they helped the mat gain wide recognition among artists and started the mat&#;s long path of transformation in appearance.

The Rennaissance

In the 16th century, the classic French mat appeared. It evolved two characteristics of the modern mat:

 &#; First, a cutout started to be made in the paper, the so-called &#;window&#; in the mat. Before that, the actual artwork was simply placed on top of a sheet of paper.

  &#; Second, the main feature of the French mat was two or three ink lines that were drawn around the cutout. Those lines were usually one or several colors derived from the artwork itself. 

Ironically, the French mat was made popular by an Italian painter, Giorgio Vasari. (Want to learn more about the history and development of French mat? We recommend &#;The Fine Art of French Matting&#; by framer Ursula Hobson.)

Under French influence, the English mat was established. It was very similar to the classical French matting design except that the surface of the mat was completely painted over in one dark color, usually in different shades of gray, blue or green. These colors made a perfect match to golden frames that were so popular in Great Britain at that time.

The Industrial Revolution

At the beginning of the 19th century, the first cardboard was invented and by the end of the century, the mass production of mats from compressed cardboard began.

The era of photos had arrived, and mats began to be widely used by photographers. By the end of the 19th century, the mat became not just an integral part of photography framing, but also performed a few other functions. Primarily, the mat was used as a business card of the photographer, and at the same time, his advertisement focused on a specific customer.

When expensive photos were matted, the inner cut was additionally painted with silver or gold paint.

Almost all the photographs were vertical, with the nameplate at the bottom. Typically, a mat of 20 mm was used, with the photographer&#;s name and his studio address applied by a stamp or paint.

Such an elaborate style of the mat design did not last for long. During the First World War, the mat lost its fancy look and became plain and simple as we know it today. But do not let this simplicity fool you.

"A welcome mat marks the threshold where lives connect. This humble household icon silently spans ages, withstanding the tramp of feet and time itself."

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The modest welcome mat throughout history has been seen at every entryway and has quietly witnessed profound shifts in civilizations come and go.

This simple floor covering has been a bellwether for broader societal change.

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THE FIRST WELCOME MATS WERE MADE FROM STRAW AND USED TO CLEAN PEOPLE'S SANDALS

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Ancient Mesopotamians invented woven straw welcome mats around BCE.

The mat served as a practical purpose of cleaning visitors' feet.

It also symbolically communicated hospitality and openness to guests.

This established a tradition that continues to influence how we use doormats thousands of years later.

If you want to learn more, please visit our website Car Interior Mats Manufacturer.

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SOME WELCOME MATS HAD "THRESHING FLOORS" MADE OF STONE OR HARD DIRT

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Medieval European homes featured threshing floors&#;packed dirt, stone, or wooden surfaces positioned inside entranceways.

They served as primitive door mats.

They allowed people to remove mud from their shoes before entering the home.

They lacked the decorative elements of modern welcome mats, but they did a great job of keeping living spaces clean in an age of muddy/dirty streets.

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DOOR MATS BECAME MORE COMMON IN 17TH CENTURY COLONIAL AMERICA

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During the French and Indian War, American colonists relied on door mats and scrapers to maintain clean homes amid the constant movement of armies that turned streets into muddy quagmires.

The mats took on more profound significance during the conflict, offering colonists a small measure of control and comfort.

They helped keep the chaos outside.

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THE FIRST MASS-PRODUCED WELCOME MATS EMERGED IN THE EARLY S

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At the turn of the 20th century, technological advances in manufacturing revolutionized welcome mat design&#;transforming them from purely functional boots into personalized decorative statements via machine-woven wire mats featuring:

• custom names
• greetings
• ornamental patterns

The modern mats became proud symbols of American homeownership and hospitality.

Families often displayed their surnames and decorative motifs on the mats.

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THE ADVENT OF THE AUTOMOBILE BROUGHT RUBBER & COCO FIBER MATS

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The rise of automobiles and paved roads in early 20th century America brought new challenges to keeping clean.

Tire rubber, motor oil, and industrial grime frequented homes.

There was a shift in design.

Decorative welcome mats were to be a thing of the past, as utilitarian designs made of rubber and coco fiber with wire/vinyl backings were in vogue.

It marked a return to the welcome mat's original colonial-era purpose of protecting home interiors.

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MANY HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATIONS PROHIBITED DECORATIVE WELCOME MATS

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During the s and s, residential associations across America began strictly regulating welcome mats.

They banned personalized and decorative designs in favor of plain, uniform options.

HOAs were looking to standardize home exteriors in planned communities.

The debacle sparked heated debates about individual expression versus community aesthetics.

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