paspartout

Passepartout is a term with several related meanings in French and English. In framing, a passe-partout (also called a mat) is a border made of paperboard or similar material placed between a picture or photograph and its glass and frame. It creates a visual separation, helps protect the artwork, and concentrates attention on the central image. The central opening reveals the work, while the surrounding border can vary in width and color. Passe-partouts are a common feature in traditional framing and can influence the perceived size and presentation of the piece.

In literature and popular culture, the best-known bearer of the name is Jean Passepartout, the loyal valet of Phileas Fogg in Jules Verne’s Around the World in 80 Days (1873). The character’s name has come to symbolize an adaptable, dependable assistant, and it has appeared in various adaptations and works inspired by Verne’s novel.

Etymologically, passe-partout in French means “pass everywhere,” derived from the words for passing and everywhere. In this sense, it can describe a universal key or an approach that is versatile enough to fit many situations. In everyday French usage, passe-partout can refer to something that serves a wide range of purposes or a remedy that works in multiple contexts.

The spelling varies: in French it is typically passe-partout, while English texts may use passe-partout or, less commonly, passepartout. The concept of a mat and the literary character share the same name but belong to distinct domains—one practical in picture presentation, the other cultural in storytelling.