Caring for Paintings
Hanging
Pictures should be hung securely using nylon cord that is thick enough for the weight of the item. Brass or copper picture wire can also be used but it can corrode over time. String is not normally strong enough and it can also stretch and be prone to rotting. Eyehooks should be screwed into the frame only and not the stretcher or backboard. For smaller works ‘D hooks’ can be attached to the backboard provided a barrier board is also used to prevent contact with the work. Both the strength of the hook and its fixing into the wall must be commensurate with the weight of the picture. For very hard walls special hooks are available or alternatively the wall may need drilling. It is usually advisable to use two hooks, not only for additional safety but also to prevent the picture ‘swinging’. Very heavy paintings may also need to be supported at their base by brackets fixed to the wall, or by two short lengths of chain hung vertically from secure fixings and hooked onto brass plate hooks screwed into the frame.
Avoid hanging pictures over a fire or radiator, unless there is a mantelpiece or radiator shelf, as dirt and smoke in the warm airstream will be carried up and could mark the picture. Oils may fade if hung in strong light, especially sunlight; it is best to hang them on a wall which receives indirect light. Consider covering vulnerable works with a cloth when away for extended periods of time, especially in the summer, or draw the curtains in the room. Oil paint can also dry and crack in high temperatures caused by central heating, fires, direct sunlight or even picture lights. Panels too may warp or crack as a result of heat or extremes of temperature.
Wide variations in temperature and humidity are not good for any works of art. Do not hang pictures on damp walls. To help air circulate and avoid the build-up of any damp, especially if hung on an outside wall, allow a picture to lean away from the wall at the top and also fix a thin sliver of cork from a wine bottle or a corn pad on to the bottom corners of the back of the frame. Humidifiers and dehumidifiers can help to prevent these problems.
Framing & Mounting
Traditionally oil paintings are framed without glass as they already have the protection of their coat of varnish. Glazing can sometimes further protect them from surface damage and dirt. While perspex sheeting can be used and is lighter and less fragile than glass, it scratches easily and attracts dust. For valuable works consider glazing with one of the modern UV filter glasses which are expensive but can filter out up to 95% of harmful UV rays. It is not advisable to seal the reverse of a painting on canvas as it is crucial to allow it to breath.
Storage
It is important to store oil paintings in clean, dry conditions, preferably somewhere dark and where the temperature is cool and fairly constant. Paintings should be placed upright on blocks to keep them off the floor with acid-free board between each one. The largest and heaviest should be at the back of the stack and picture hooks should be removed to prevent them damaging the next frame or canvas. Cover the stack with a clean dustsheet but do not use plastic as this can cause mould. Take care not to use certain types of bubble-wrap as this can leave marks on the surface relatively quickly.
Cleaning and Conservation
Carefully dust surfaces using a fine silk cloth. Never use water to clean or wipe the surface. Over time dust will become trapped between the stretcher and the canvas at the back and this should be carefully removed. Never clean gilded frames with a damp cloth or sponge as this will eventually remove the gold leaf.
In-depth picture cleaning should only be carried out by a skilled professional and this should always be carefully considered and judged whether it is really necessary and whether it can be done safely.
Flaking oil paint, dirty varnish and a whitish bloom on the surface of an oil painting caused by damp can all be treated without too much difficulty by a professional restorer. Inspect your pictures regularly as any signs of damage should professionally inspected as soon as possible to prevent further deterioration which will make the problem more difficult and expensive to deal with.
Pictures should be hung securely using nylon cord that is thick enough for the weight of the item. Brass or copper picture wire can also be used but it can corrode over time. String is not normally strong enough and it can also stretch and be prone to rotting. Eyehooks should be screwed into the frame only and not the stretcher or backboard. For smaller works ‘D hooks’ can be attached to the backboard provided a barrier board is also used to prevent contact with the work. Both the strength of the hook and its fixing into the wall must be commensurate with the weight of the picture. For very hard walls special hooks are available or alternatively the wall may need drilling. It is usually advisable to use two hooks, not only for additional safety but also to prevent the picture ‘swinging’. Very heavy paintings may also need to be supported at their base by brackets fixed to the wall, or by two short lengths of chain hung vertically from secure fixings and hooked onto brass plate hooks screwed into the frame.
Avoid hanging pictures over a fire or radiator, unless there is a mantelpiece or radiator shelf, as dirt and smoke in the warm airstream will be carried up and could mark the picture. Oils may fade if hung in strong light, especially sunlight; it is best to hang them on a wall which receives indirect light. Consider covering vulnerable works with a cloth when away for extended periods of time, especially in the summer, or draw the curtains in the room. Oil paint can also dry and crack in high temperatures caused by central heating, fires, direct sunlight or even picture lights. Panels too may warp or crack as a result of heat or extremes of temperature.
Wide variations in temperature and humidity are not good for any works of art. Do not hang pictures on damp walls. To help air circulate and avoid the build-up of any damp, especially if hung on an outside wall, allow a picture to lean away from the wall at the top and also fix a thin sliver of cork from a wine bottle or a corn pad on to the bottom corners of the back of the frame. Humidifiers and dehumidifiers can help to prevent these problems.
Framing & Mounting
Traditionally oil paintings are framed without glass as they already have the protection of their coat of varnish. Glazing can sometimes further protect them from surface damage and dirt. While perspex sheeting can be used and is lighter and less fragile than glass, it scratches easily and attracts dust. For valuable works consider glazing with one of the modern UV filter glasses which are expensive but can filter out up to 95% of harmful UV rays. It is not advisable to seal the reverse of a painting on canvas as it is crucial to allow it to breath.
Storage
It is important to store oil paintings in clean, dry conditions, preferably somewhere dark and where the temperature is cool and fairly constant. Paintings should be placed upright on blocks to keep them off the floor with acid-free board between each one. The largest and heaviest should be at the back of the stack and picture hooks should be removed to prevent them damaging the next frame or canvas. Cover the stack with a clean dustsheet but do not use plastic as this can cause mould. Take care not to use certain types of bubble-wrap as this can leave marks on the surface relatively quickly.
Cleaning and Conservation
Carefully dust surfaces using a fine silk cloth. Never use water to clean or wipe the surface. Over time dust will become trapped between the stretcher and the canvas at the back and this should be carefully removed. Never clean gilded frames with a damp cloth or sponge as this will eventually remove the gold leaf.
In-depth picture cleaning should only be carried out by a skilled professional and this should always be carefully considered and judged whether it is really necessary and whether it can be done safely.
Flaking oil paint, dirty varnish and a whitish bloom on the surface of an oil painting caused by damp can all be treated without too much difficulty by a professional restorer. Inspect your pictures regularly as any signs of damage should professionally inspected as soon as possible to prevent further deterioration which will make the problem more difficult and expensive to deal with.