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The idea of hanging art in a window space is extremely tacky for two reasons: it cheapens the art piece and ruins the window. I would hate having that big obstruction in the center of a nice window. Not to mention the view of the backside of a painting or framed work! The second picture looks like they wanted to hang the piece on a wall, but ran out of space, so they destroyed their large window wall. I just say keep the two separate. Highlight the art; highlight the window.

I agree with zuke. Especially, on the second picture it looks plain ugly. Not to mention that plant is also obstructing the view.

Hi Jonathan,

Stop right there, oil paintings are prone to a lot of ireversable damage if placed in direct sunlight.

The paint can soften, fade and disolve and the canvas is prone to (sun) bleaching and fibre weakening.

A simple contempray stain glass glass panel would look fantastic. Or some simple metal hanging shapes would look cool.

You could always use a two-sided frame to display artwork that's visible from both sides. My parents have one that frames a 1950s real estate brochure for their house, which was built in 1834 ... since the brochure is two-sided, they didn't want to hide either side. This might also be a good opportunity to use transparent or translucent art, such as stained glass, without installing it in the window itself. Otherwise, I agree that the back of a framed work may not be so attractive from outside the window.

I agree with hanging stainglass instead of art for the reasons already mentioned. I've done this in most of my windows for a couple of reasons. It provides great color and doesn't make you feel like you are blocking the light, just filtering it. The other reason is that many of my windows align directly with my neighbors (the two buildings are identical). They refuse to buy drapes and I like to have some privacy without blocking the light. Here is what I've done....
http://www.flickr.com/photos/orngcatstudio/2256200791/in/set-72157603885298176/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/orngcatstudio/2272160387/in/set-72157603885298176/

The drapery rods are double (designed for sheers behind the drapes) however after many years the intense sun had deteriorated the sheers. I hung the stained glass using S hooks and picture wire from the second rod.

Murray--

I'd never hang your folk's vintage brochure or any other artwork in the window like that - the colors will fade in no time (even with UV resistant glass, it will eventually fade) and your brochure/artwork will only be fit for the trash.

Some city dwellers such as myself have large windows with lovely views of ... the brick wall two feet away. So why not? One of those nifty Threadless prints maybe. If the back is such an issue, toss some contact or wrapping paper on that bad boy so the pigeons aren't subjected to anything unsightly.

I second the thoughts of the reader who cautioned against placing artwork in light. Especially with paintings and works on paper, this is a bad idea. It is better to avoid hanging artwork in direct sunlight, even on a wall. It's harder to appreciate the artwork, when it is backlit by sun. Your eyes can't read the colors properly that way.

I'll have to snap a picture of the light box artwork my parents have on a window sill in their house. It's great because it's intended to have light coming through it and doesn't look terrible from the outside.

p.s. That garden is fantastic, I don't know why you'd want to cover that up anyway.