Whether natural or artificial, light is one of the greatest enemies of artworks, along with variations in temperature, humidity, and pests such as termites and moths. On the other hand, light is also indispensable for the appreciation of the artistic object. So what can be done to reconcile the need for conservation with the very reason for the artwork's existence – human appreciation?
Light can be more or less harmful depending on the amount of ultraviolet radiation it emits and on the characteristics of the object, since each material reacts in its own way to exposure to light.
Without the necessary care, light can accelerate the process of depigmentation in certain materials, causing the artwork to lose vitality and beauty. A further consequence is the reduction of its market value. In this post, we give some basic tips on how to protect an art collection from unsuitable lighting.
Away from the sun
A first and important tip is never to leave an artwork in a place that receives sunlight, directly or indirectly. Always prefer interior spaces where the lighting can be fully controlled. If that is not possible, it is important to have curtains and blackout blinds fitted to windows and glazing in order to manage the amount of light coming in through the day.
Will any artificial light do?
No. Even when placing the artwork in an interior space, it is important to pay attention to the type of artificial lighting it will be subjected to.
Fluorescent lights, commonly used in offices, also emit ultraviolet radiation and can cause damage similar to that of sunlight.
Low wattage incandescent bulbs are generally the best option. Even so, the ideal is to keep them switched off whenever there is no need to display the artwork.
Bespoke lighting schemes
There are various ways of reducing the impact of light on artworks and the best option, when investment is possible, is to rely on the specialist support of conservation and lighting design professionals.
They will study the artworks and the spaces where they are to be displayed in order to suggest the best places to hang them and to draw up lighting schemes that take into account appropriate bulbs, means of filtering ultraviolet rays and other preventive measures.
And what about the artworks that are not on display?
For those who keep part of the collection in storage, it is necessary to pay attention to the correct housing of the objects so that they remain in good condition over the medium and long term. This is one more way of protecting an art collection from unsuitable lighting.
The precautions begin with appropriate packing and the choice of a place for storage. It is important not to neglect the artworks that are out of sight, so as to avoid unpleasant surprises when the time comes to display or sell them. Keeping that collection in the little back room is definitely the least advisable course of action and the one most likely to cause losses in the future.
If you do not have space available to store your collection properly, talk to Clé. We are the only private fine art storage facility in Brazil with a 100% climate controlled warehouse.
Talk to our specialists to find out about the solutions available: comercial@clereserva.com.
