Storage and handling of paintings

To minimize significant damages and avoid expensive restorations, it is important to know how to take care of your artworks. Art ages and deteriorates like any other material, and wear and tear occur due to daily exposure to light, heat, and use. With the right placement of the artwork and regular inspection, much can be done to prevent physical damage to artworks and minimize natural degradation.

Ensure Proper Hanging of the Painting

Is the hanging secure? The bracket should be firmly attached to the frame of the painting and be strong enough to bear the weight of the painting. Additionally, the wire connecting the two brackets should be securely and sensibly mounted to the brackets, and the wire should be strong enough to support the painting. It should be stable and not give way like cords and nylon lines do. You can check out these painting hangers available for all painting sizes.

Placement of the Artwork

Avoid placing your artwork against an exterior wall, as these are cold and create condensation and moisture behind the artworks. Mounting an insulating backing board and spacer blocks behind the artwork can alleviate the problem. Use sun shading if you want to place your artwork in direct sunlight, especially from south-facing windows. Avoid hanging paintings above a radiator; they are damaged by the warm, dry air. If you want a strong spotlight on your artwork, consider switching to an LED bulb that does not emit strong heat. Places with daily wear from close passage should also be avoided.

If You Need to Move an Artwork

Always have freshly washed hands or clean cotton gloves on, as fingerprints develop into marks on the artwork over time. Never push your fingers between the canvas and the stretcher bars on paintings, as it loosens the paint and creates bulges. Never carry the artwork by the wire alone; instead, hold the artwork with two hands, one on each side or one hand above and the other below the artwork. If you need to set the artwork aside for a while, it's a good idea to place it on a soft blanket or similar.

If the Artwork Needs to be Taken Down Temporarily or Permanently

If artworks need to be taken down temporarily, it is important to demand high storage conditions. Avoid placing the artwork in damp basements, uninsulated attics, or against exterior walls. Store artworks upright, front to front/back to back. This way, you avoid D-rings and wires on the back of one artwork scraping against the front of another artwork. You can place a piece of cardboard or a blanket between the artworks to protect the painting and frame from wear and dents. Set the artworks on blocks to keep them off the floor.

If the Painting Gets Dirty

Many materials cannot withstand regular cleaning with liquids. You can gently try to brush off the dust with a very soft brush. If there is glass protecting the artwork, never spray water or cleaning solution directly on the glass. Instead, use a dry microfiber cloth with a splash of water on it.

If the Artwork Gets Damaged

Never attempt to repair the damage yourself; instead, contact a trained painting or paper conservator. In cases where the damage is due to external factors such as high heat, dry air, moisture, light, air pollution, and wear, there are many things you can do to reduce the risk of similar damages in the future.

On the Ny Carlsberg Foundation's website, you can learn more about "Damage to Paintings":
https://www.ny-carlsbergfondet.dk/sites/default/files/2019-11/SkaderPa%CC%8AMaleri.pdf