Caring for Art Works

How to Care For and Hang Your Works of Art

Tips on framing, caring for and hanging your works of art

When dealing with original artwork, one of the most important things to consider is preservation. It is crucial to ensure that your investment is protected so that you may continue to enjoy it for years to come. One factor that will decide this will be the framing, specifically the type of glass and mats used. Today, acid -free mats are used almost exclusively by quality framers in order to conserve the works. These boards are specially manufactured to be free of acids that cause deterioration in the form of yellow or brown discolouration of the art work. These mats have not always been common, however, and many pieces you have may include older materials that are slowly but surely destroying your art work. Old framing often included the use of cardboard behind the art work, and this will definitely discolour the work over time.

The glass used in framing can also affect the art work. Denglass is a specially coated, non-reflective (but not etched) glass that filters some of the ultraviolet light that can cause fading and deterioration. Here in the gallery, we use exclusively water-white Denglass for our gallery framing. Water-white glass has no colour, unlike regular glass which casts a greenish hue on the art work. Although Denglass costs more, we feel that this is money well spent, especially to preserve and showcase original art.

Avoid carrying your framed works by the top of the frame. Instead carry them by the wire or carry them by supporting the bottom and one side.

Clean frames regularly as dust contains a large amount of airborne mould spores. When cleaning a framed picture, never spray the cleaning solution directly onto the surface of the glass. The liquid may run down inside the frame and stain the mat or cause a dangerous elevation of the humidity inside the frame. Apply the cleaner to the cloth instead.

Keep the humidity below seventy percent, about fifty percent is ideal.

Most people hang their art too high. The rule of thumb is to allow 54” – 58” from the floor to the centre of the picture. This will have your picture hanging at approximately eye level. In a room such as a dining room where you are always seated, you may choose to hang your art works even lower.

Avoid hanging pictures on a wall directly opposite a window, since the light is likely to be greater there than anywhere else in the room and can contribute to the fading of the image. Translucent curtains or louvered blinds can be used to moderate or redirect the bright light of day. If you must hang works where they will receive large amounts of sunlight, please ask us about the new UV Denglass which will filter out more sunlight than regular Denglass.

Always use two hooks to provide good support and to keep the picture level.

Avoid hanging pictures on the outside walls of a house, especially if the wall feels damp or cold.

Good circulation of air reduces chances of mould growth. Circulation of air behind a frame is improved by attaching small pieces of cork or “bumpers” to the lower two corners to keep the frame away from the wall.

It is advisable to open and examine your art about every five years or so, to make sure that it is in good condition. Even if everything is satisfactory, the inner surface of the glass should be cleaned. It is surprising how much of a haze can develop on the inside of a picture glass within a few years. Sometimes a “ghost” image of the picture appears on the glass, especially in the case of prints, apparently because of the transference of volatile components of the printing ink to the glass. Artwork should never come in direct contact with the glass in the frame.

Do not store pictures in damp cellars or basements.

Buckling of paper is one of the chief causes of concern for an owner. It does not in itself constitute a danger, since it is natural for handmade paper to show some slight degree of movement. If a picture appears absolutely flat, it may even be an indication that it has been mounted down. Gluing pictures down is harmful, unnecessary, and diminishes the monetary and aesthetic value of a work of art. A work of art that has been mounted down or that shows excessive buckling should be taken to an experienced framer for advice.

When deciding where to place art in your home, particularly over fireplaces, the rule of thumb is that the art will be happy anywhere that you would be happy. If the top of your fireplace gets quite hot, then don’t hang your art work there.

Caring for works on canvas:

From “Caring for Your Collections”, Harry N. Abrams, Inc., Publisher

Do not touch the painting and frame surfaces with any cleaning solutions, cleaning cloths, sponges, feather dusters, vacuum brushes, or hand-held vacuum cleaners.

If dust becomes a problem, a light dusting may be carried out with a soft badger or sable brush. Check first for loose frame elements or lifting paint.

Do not use aerosols, sprays, insecticides, or oil-based pesticides near a painting.

Carry paintings by supporting the bottom and one side of the frame. Avoid touching the front or backs of paintings.