It might have been a one-shot & I think it was a josei or seinen. It also might take place either during the end of the taisho period or the beginning/middle of the showa.
If I remember correctly.... the guy is sorta mentally fluctuating between a state of joyful abandon and feeling adrift & lost in life, he works as a craftsmen in a shop that frames pictures (ink drawings, paintings etc.) and builds the frames used. While working at a customer's house (who might have been the actual artist for the large piece?) he meets a woman that helps him sort out what he wants to do in life. I don't remember if there was romance (one-sided or otherwise) between the man & woman.

Gakusou - this one?

AAAAAAHHHHHH! Thank you thank you thank you! Kudos to you! 😃 😃