Priya Kapoor
The preservation of paintings is a complex task that requires careful management and consideration. Over the years, many paintings have been degraded due to improper handling and storage, leading to physical damage such as mould, fading, warping, and yellowing. To prevent such damage, it is crucial to provide optimal storage conditions with strict temperature, humidity, and light exposure controls. Additionally, pest control and UV protection are essential, along with friction-free movement to avoid jolts and vibrations that could harm the artwork. Proper framing, wrapping, and sealing techniques are also employed to protect paintings from dirt, dust, and water damage. While museums utilise climate-controlled and heavily protected storage facilities, individuals can also safeguard their valuable paintings at home by consulting trained conservators, conducting condition checks, and maintaining stable environments with minimal sunlight exposure.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Varnish layer | Protects the surface and adds depth |
| Avoid sunlight | To prevent fading and yellowing |
| Avoid moisture | Moisture causes damage |
| Pest control | To prevent damage |
| UV protection | To prevent damage |
| Avoid friction | To avoid jolts and vibrations which could damage the object |
| Avoid stacking | Paintings are vulnerable to physical damage and collision damage |
| Wrapping | Use of polyethylene or Mylar sheeting to protect from dust, dirt and water |
| Framing | Use of handling-travel-storage (HTS) frame to eliminate the possibility of contact with the painting's edges or surface |
| Hanging hooks | To secure paintings to walls |
| Wall plugs or anchors | To secure hanging hooks in drywall, hollow block, brick, plaster, stone or poured concrete walls |
| Hangers | Use of screw eyes, D-rings, chains, metal cleat hangers or French cleats depending on weight |
| Temperature control | To maintain optimal storage environment |
| Humidity control | To maintain optimal storage environment |
| Light exposure control | To maintain optimal storage environment |
| Conservation and restoration | To clean, revarnish and touch up paintings |
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What You'll Learn
Varnishing and hanging
Varnishing is an essential step in protecting your painting and keeping it looking its best. Artists have been using varnish for over 700 years to protect their paintings from dirt, dust, UV rays, and yellowing. Varnish also adds a layer of shine that enhances the final look of the artwork.
When varnishing oil paintings, it is important to work on a flat surface and avoid working vertically. Use a lint-free cloth to wipe down the painting and remove any dust or dirt before applying the varnish. Choose the right type of varnish for your painting, such as gloss, satin, or matte finish, and pour it into a clean, flat saucer or tin. Using long, smooth brush strokes in one direction, cover the painting in a thin coat of varnish. Turn the painting 90 degrees and use the same long strokes across the wet first coat to ensure an even covering. Remember to only apply one layer of varnish in this way to avoid a patchy finish.
If you are varnishing an acrylic painting, it is important to make sure the painting is completely dry before applying the varnish. You can use a soft, wide brush to apply a mix of varnish, working quickly and methodically over the surface. After the top surface of the painting is dry, you can varnish the edges. It is recommended to let the varnish dry for several days before adding hanging hardware.
When hanging valuable paintings, it is important to consider the weight of the artwork and choose the appropriate hanging hardware. For heavier paintings, use metal cleat hangers or traditional French cleats, which support the weight of the painting across its entire width. If the wall is made of plywood, you can use hanging hooks secured with nails. For hollow-core walls, drill holes and insert wall plugs or expandable wall anchors before adding threaded hanging hooks.
To protect paintings during storage, it is recommended to frame them or use a handling-travel-storage (HTS) frame to eliminate the possibility of contact with the painting's edges or surface. Wrapping and sealing paintings in polyethylene or Mylar sheeting can also protect them from dust, dirt, and water damage. For smaller artworks, customized containers made with stable materials like Coroplast or acid-free multi-ply matboard can be used.
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Wrapping and sealing
Materials for Wrapping:
- Cardboard: Rigid cardboard is used to create a frame or cradle for the painting, ensuring that it does not touch the surface. Multi-wall cardboard may be needed for larger paintings.
- Tissue Paper: Breathable tissue paper can be used to wrap framed paintings, allowing the artwork to "breathe" while being protected.
- Plastic or Mylar Sheeting: Paintings can be wrapped in plastic poly wrap or Mylar sheeting to protect them from dust, dirt, and water. However, it is important to ensure that plastic does not come into direct contact with the painted surface, as it can leave marks.
- Bubble Wrap: Adding a layer of bubble wrap provides slight cushioning and protects the painting from accidental blows.
Sealing and Securing:
- Tape: Carton sealing tape or packaging tape is used to seal the wrapping. It should be applied along the overlapping edges and all other edges to create a good seal. The tape should be easy to remove without damaging the wrapping or the painting.
- Silicone Release Paper: This material is safe for long-term contact with acrylic surfaces and can be used to protect the painted surface.
- Polyethylene Sheeting: For paintings with frames, polyethylene sheeting can be wrapped around or attached to the edges of the frame with staples.
Additional Considerations:
- Avoid Tight Wrapping: While the wrapping should be fairly tight to prevent shifting, it is important not to wrap the painting too tightly, as this can stretch and damage the artwork.
- Climate Control: Wrapping can help isolate the painting from short-term humidity fluctuations. However, if extreme temperature changes are anticipated during transport, additional thermal insulation is necessary.
- Protection from Physical Force: Wrapping and sealing should be combined with other storage methods to protect paintings from physical force, such as stacking or collision damage.
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Using protective frames
When storing valuable paintings, it is important to consider the use of protective frames. Frames can provide structural support and protect the painting from physical damage, dirt, dust, and water.
Before placing a painting into storage, it is recommended to fit it with a frame and a protective backing board. This is especially important for paintings without painted edges, as the frame will eliminate the possibility of contact with the painting's edges during handling or storage. For modern and contemporary paintings with painted edges, a handling-travel-storage (HTS) frame can be used to protect the artwork without obscuring the edges.
When choosing a frame, consider using metal brackets or plates to secure the painting within the frame, as hammers, nails, and staplers can cause dangerous vibrations that may damage the artwork. Additionally, ensure that the frame has a backboard made of materials such as Correx®, Fome-cor®, or hardboard to protect the back of the painting from damage and dirt.
For added protection, consider using a specialty glass or a translucent protective film in the frame to block UV light and prevent damage from sunlight. Acrylic or laminated glass may also be used if regular glass is too heavy. However, it is important to leave space between the glass and the painting's surface to avoid direct contact.
When storing framed paintings, avoid leaning them against a wall, as this can lead to physical damage and collision. Instead, place the paintings on shelves or risers to keep them off the floor and protect them from potential water damage, temperature changes, and insects.
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Pest control and UV protection
Now, let's delve into UV protection, which is essential for preserving valuable paintings. UV radiation from sunlight or artificial lighting can cause irreversible damage to paintings over time. The pigments in watercolour paintings, for instance, are particularly vulnerable to light exposure, leading to fading and discolouration. Even UV-resistant pigments can only offer limited protection. Therefore, it is crucial to minimise direct sunlight exposure by strategically placing paintings away from windows or installing UV-blocking curtains or films on windows.
When displaying paintings, the use of UV-protective glass or glazing for framing is highly recommended. This specialised glass can block a significant amount of UV rays, providing optimal protection for the artwork. Framing shops can advise on the most suitable UV-protective options, ensuring that the artwork is adequately shielded while still being aesthetically presented.
Additionally, it is important to consider the lighting conditions when displaying valuable paintings. While complete darkness is not necessary, excessive light exposure should be avoided. Museums, for example, adhere to strict guidelines, maintaining lighting levels at 250 lumens for paintings and 50 lumens for works on paper. For personal collections, a light meter can be used to measure lumens, ensuring that lighting levels are appropriate and do not exceed recommended thresholds.
In conclusion, pest control and UV protection are vital components of preserving valuable paintings. By implementing IPM strategies and utilising UV-protective materials, such as specialised glass and strategic lighting, artwork can be safeguarded for future generations to appreciate and enjoy. These measures ensure that the paintings retain their aesthetic appeal and value while remaining protected from the damaging effects of pests and UV radiation.
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Climate control and insurance
Climate control is an important aspect of storing and protecting valuable paintings. Fine art storage facilities help to maintain a stable environment for paintings by controlling temperature and humidity levels. Commonly acceptable temperatures for paintings are 65 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit during winter and 70 to 75 degrees during summer. It is important to keep temperatures within a 20-degree Fahrenheit range. Extreme temperatures and humidity fluctuations can cause irreversible damage to paintings, such as cracking, warping, and mould growth. This is especially true for sensitive materials like wood, textiles, and paper.
To protect paintings, it is recommended to store them in a room with consistent temperature and humidity levels, away from external walls and off the ground. Paintings should be positioned upright and separated by rigid dividers to prevent them from sticking together due to increased humidity.
Insurance is another critical aspect of protecting valuable paintings. Art insurance provides specialised coverage beyond standard homeowners insurance policies. It protects against risks such as theft, robbery, accidental damage, and damage during transit, storage, and exhibitions. When considering art insurance, it is important to assess the value of the artworks, obtain professional appraisals, and choose a policy that reflects the specific needs of the collection. Regular updates and risk management strategies are vital to maintaining adequate coverage. Working with an art insurance broker ensures tailored advice and comprehensive protection.
Art collectors should be prepared for various scenarios and carefully consider the risks associated with their collections. For example, if a painting is loaned to a museum or transported internationally, it is important to ensure that the insurance policy provides door-to-door coverage for the entire journey. Additionally, it is crucial to have all the necessary documentation, such as appraisal documents, organised and easily accessible.
By combining proper climate control storage conditions with comprehensive insurance coverage, collectors can effectively protect their valuable paintings and ensure their long-term preservation.
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Frequently asked questions
Paintings should be stored in a rigorously monitored environment with strict temperature, humidity, and light exposure controls. Paintings should also be protected from pests and UV light.
Paintings can be protected from damage during storage by using handling-travel-storage (HTS) frames, which prevent contact with the painting's edges or surface. Paintings can also be wrapped in tissue paper or another breathable material and placed in a sturdy cardboard box.
Some common mistakes to avoid when storing paintings include leaning paintings against a wall, as this can cause physical damage, and wrapping paintings tightly in plastic, as this can cause mold to grow.
Paintings that are on display can be protected by using corner protectors, hanging them away from heat sources and direct sunlight, and using varnish to protect the artwork from dust, yellowing, and UV rays.
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