High contrast or black and white art.

High contrast art is sometimes the hardest to design. 
The question is, "What combination brings out the most details of the art
and helps me to see the art first".
The most logical 'maybe' is to use white or black mats and frames.  
But, ask yourself this.  
How much of the Black & White  photograph/etching/monoprint....
image has areas of pure white or pure black  
or is it a variation of grays.
So frame it in the gray that most makes the artwork come forward (neutral to the art).
A light mat on a very dark photo or picture will make the picture appear darker
​and decrease the visible detail by having too much intensity for the subtleties
of the photograph or artwork.
Vis-à-vis the dark mat on a light artwork.
If the photo or artwork has large areas of dark or light use a mat that blends with the largest amount of color (black, white, or gray).
Several shades of white, grays or blacks can be tried until the balance is correct and the eye travels first to the photo.

This  applies to any art form that is extremely dark or light