Lena Rivera
During the Regency period, the way paintings were displayed in public art galleries differed from how they are displayed in modern times. One such practice was skying, which involved hanging paintings high on walls, out of viewers' sight. This was often done to the works of unlucky or out-of-favour painters. However, today, skying is rarely practised, and even artists may be unfamiliar with the term.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | Hung high on the wall where people can't see it |
| Who it happens to | Unlucky or out-of-favour painters |
| Where it happens | Public art galleries during the Regency |
| Why it happens | Poor use of space |
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What You'll Learn
- A painting is 'skied' when it is hung high on the wall, out of eye level
- This practice was common in Regency public galleries
- It was done to paintings by painters who were out of favour
- The term 'hung on the line' was used to refer to paintings that were hung at prime viewing level
- The practice of skying is now antiquated
A painting is 'skied' when it is hung high on the wall, out of eye level
Hanging paintings on a wall may seem straightforward, but the placement and lighting of a painting are crucial to its display. The term "skying" refers to hanging a painting high on a wall, out of eye level, which can cause it to be overlooked. This practice was common in Regency-era public galleries and is considered outdated today.
During the Regency period, the lighting in galleries relied on daylight or candlelight. Top-lighting, which provided even illumination, was the preferred method to showcase paintings as the artist intended. However, side-lighting was also used, despite its drawbacks, including reduced wall space and uneven lighting throughout the day.
The placement of paintings in these galleries was different from today's standards. A painting that was "skied" would be hung so high that only those who glanced upward would notice it. This practice was often done contemptuously to artists who were out of favour or unlucky.
Today, the display of paintings in galleries and museums has evolved. Most artists from the Regency era would likely prefer the modern approach, which evenly spaces paintings at a prime viewing level. The use of artificial lighting has also improved the presentation of artworks, allowing for better control of lighting conditions.
The MFA's New Art of the Americas Wing, installed in the 19th-century manner, provides an example of "skying." Paintings were "skied" on the walls, along with sculptures filling the gallery, treating the artworks as part of art and cultural history without judgment.
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This practice was common in Regency public galleries
During the Regency era, the practice of "skying" paintings was common in public galleries. Skying refers to hanging a painting high on a wall, out of the prime viewing level, where people couldn't easily see it. This practice was often done to the works of unlucky or out-of-favour painters, which resulted in quite a number of squabbles at the Royal Academy and elsewhere.
The lighting in these galleries was of utmost importance, as the point of visiting was to view the paintings hanging on the walls. Before the 19th century, when gas lighting was introduced, daylight or lamp and candlelight were the only sources of illumination. Natural light, or daylight, was considered the best way to view a painting as the artist intended. Top-lighting, which became the standard method of illuminating galleries by 1800, was preferred over side-lighting as it provided more consistent lighting throughout the day.
The way paintings were hung in Regency-era public galleries differed significantly from modern practices. A person from the Regency era would likely be shocked by the use of space in today's galleries. However, artists from that period would generally prefer the way paintings are now typically displayed in galleries and museums.
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It was done to paintings by painters who were out of favour
During the Regency period, if a painter was out of favour, their painting would be "skied". This meant that their artwork was hung in a location where it was difficult for people to see it. For example, it might be placed high on a wall, where only those who glanced upward would notice it.
The practice of skying a painting was a way of showing contempt for the artist or their work. It was common enough to be referred to in novels and caused "quite a number of squabbles" at the Royal Academy and other artistic institutions.
Today, the practice of skying is antiquated and rarely done. However, in the past, it was a very real concern for artists, who wanted their paintings hung on the line or at prime viewing level.
The way paintings are hung in galleries has changed over time. In the Regency period, side-lighting and top-lighting were used to illuminate paintings, with top-lighting becoming the preferred method by 1800. However, side-lighting had the drawback of reducing wall space and causing glare and shadow as the sun moved across the sky. The introduction of gas lighting in the 19th century provided a new way to illuminate paintings, and likely influenced the way they were displayed.
Despite the challenges of lighting and wall space, the Regency galleries were likely very different from modern ones. A person from the Regency era would probably be shocked at the way space is used in modern galleries and would prefer the way paintings are typically hung today.
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The term 'hung on the line' was used to refer to paintings that were hung at prime viewing level
The act of "skying" a painting refers to hanging it high on a wall, out of prime viewing level, and often where people couldn't actually see it. This practice was common in Regency-era public art galleries, where the height at which a painting was hung could cause quite a few squabbles.
The term "hung on the line", on the other hand, was used to refer to paintings that were hung at prime viewing level. This term is mentioned in several novels, where artist characters discuss their desire to have their paintings hung "on the line" at exhibitions.
The practice of skying a painting is considered outdated today, with most artists preferring the modern way of hanging paintings in galleries and museums. However, some curators still choose to display paintings in the 19th-century manner, treating the works as part of our art and cultural history.
The lighting of galleries was also of utmost importance, as the point of visiting was to view the paintings. Before the introduction of gas lighting in the 19th century, daylight, lamp, and candlelight were the only methods of illumination. Top-lighting, which provided more consistent lighting than side-lighting, had become the standard method of illuminating galleries by 1800.
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The practice of skying is now antiquated
The practice of skying, which refers to hanging paintings high on a wall, is now considered antiquated. This practice was once used to display paintings in Regency public galleries during the 19th century. However, it is rarely done in modern times, as most artists from that era would prefer the way paintings are typically hung in galleries and museums today.
The term "skyed" or "skied" is used to describe a painting that has been hung in a location that is difficult to view. This could be due to the height at which it is hung or the lighting conditions that make it hard to see. In the past, this practice was used to show that a painter was out of favour or unlucky. Their paintings would be hung where people couldn't easily see them, often high on a wall, requiring viewers to glance upward to notice the artwork.
The lighting in galleries was also an important factor in the display of paintings. Before the introduction of gas lighting in the 19th century, daylight, lamp, and candlelight were the primary methods of illumination. Top-lighting, which provided more consistent lighting throughout the day, became the preferred method by 1800.
Today, the practice of skying is rarely used, and most exhibitions do not employ this method of hanging paintings. Even artists may not be familiar with the term "hung on the line," which refers to the prime viewing level of a painting. While it may have caused some disputes in the past, the practice of skying is now considered outdated and is not commonly used in art galleries and museums.
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Frequently asked questions
To have a painting "skied" means that it is hung high on the wall, out of the line of sight, so that only those who glance upward will notice it. This practice was common in Regency-era public galleries and is considered outdated today.
A painting could be "skied" either because the painter was unlucky or out of favor, or because it was a way to showcase the painting in a specific light or context, as in the case of installing art in a 19th-century manner.
While the term "skying" is not commonly used today, the practice of hanging paintings at different heights and levels still occurs in some galleries and exhibitions. However, most artists from the Regency era would have preferred the way paintings are typically hung in modern galleries and museums, which is generally more accessible and visible to viewers.
