Whether natural or artificial, light is one of the greatest enemies of works of art, along with temperature fluctuations, humidity, and pests such as termites and moths. On the other hand, light is also indispensable for appreciating the artistic object. What can be done, then, to reconcile the need for conservation with the work's very reason for existing: 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, as each material reacts in its own way to exposure to light.
Without the necessary precautions, light can accelerate the fading process in certain materials, causing the work to lose vitality and beauty. An additional consequence is a reduction in its market value. In this post, we share some basic tips on how to protect your art collection from unsuitable lighting.
Away from the sun
A first and important tip is never to leave a work of art in a place that receives sunlight, whether directly or indirectly. Always favour indoor spaces where the lighting can be fully controlled. If that is not possible, it is important to have curtains and blackout blinds installed on windows and glazed surfaces to manage the incidence of light throughout the day.
Will any artificial light do?
No. Even when placing the work in an indoor space, it is important to pay attention to the type of artificial lighting it will be exposed 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, it is ideal to keep them switched off whenever there is no need to display the work.
Bespoke lighting projects
There are several ways to reduce the impact of light on works of art, and the best option, when investment is possible, is to rely on the specialised support of conservation and lighting design professionals.
They will study the works and the spaces where they will be displayed in order to suggest the best hanging locations and develop lighting projects that take into account appropriate bulbs, resources for filtering ultraviolet rays and other preventive measures.
And what about works that are not on display?
For those who keep part of their collection in storage, attention must be paid to the correct housing of the objects so that they remain in good condition over the medium and long term. This is yet another way to protect your 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 works that are out of sight, to avoid unpleasant surprises when the time comes to display or sell them. Storing this collection in the back room is definitely the least advisable approach, 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 Chenue. We are the only private art storage facility in Brazil with a 100% climate-controlled warehouse.
Speak with our specialists to learn about the available solutions: comercial@clereserva.com.
