Picture stand

This invention relates to a stand for supporting pictures on a vertical display surface such as a wall. More particularly, this invention relates to a stand that displays a picture in a substantially flat, upright orientation against a wall without having to attach any picture hangers or similar fasteners to the wall. A picture stand comprises an upper portion and a lower portion which are joined together and are configured to be non-planar relative to one another, namely the lower portion is at an angle relative to the upper portion. When the lower edge of the lower portion is engaged against a horizontal support surface, such as the top of a desk, the picture stand will lean over to engage the upper portion of the picture stand with a vertical display surface, such as a wall. A picture can be suspended in a flat, upright orientation from a hook provided on the upper portion of the picture stand. Thus; the picture stand allows a picture to be displayed as if the picture were suspended from a picture hanger, but without having to pound any nails into or otherwise damage the wall.