The hottest season of the year is an invitation to the beach, outdoor outings and travel. But collectors should also pay attention to the effects this period can have on works of art, and prepare to minimize them. In this post, we talk about how to keep an art collection protected at this time of year.
What summer changes for a collection
With summer, the temperature rises and, with it, so does the relative air humidity, two risk factors for artistic objects. In some cases, the change of season can also alter the incidence of natural light, another point of attention.
The ideal temperature and humidity
The ideal conditions for maintaining works of art are:
- a constant temperature between 18º and 22º
- relative air humidity between 45% and 55%
Both can be maintained with a good air-conditioning system. If the property where the collection is kept already has one, remember to keep it running even while you travel, preferably with constant monitoring by a trusted person. A conversation with a climate-control specialist is also worthwhile.
Sudden changes in temperature and humidity can cause several undesirable effects on works, starting with the natural expansion of materials, which distorts the object's dimensions; even at a millimetric scale, this is quite harmful to its good conservation. Rising humidity, in turn, is a magnet for urban pests and mold, other great enemies of the collection.
Temporary storage during the holidays
In situations like these, if the property does not have the ideal conditions for the safety of the works, it is possible to turn temporarily to storage solutions. The practice is very common in Europe: when families leave on long vacation trips, the most important works of art are temporarily taken to specialized warehouses for protection, especially in summer.
In Brazil, the service is offered by Clé Chenue do Brasil. Our fully climate-controlled warehouse features private or shared spaces, all with security and fire prevention systems operating 24×7. Packing and transport services are also carried out by our own teams.
Talk to a Clé Chenue specialist. We can help you find the ideal solution for your collection.
