Home Presentation - Artworks

Aesthetics

As a general rule, most art pieces should be hung at eye level. Of course eye level is different for different people, so this may not be much help; a more useful suggestion is to hang artworks approximately 60 inches from the floor. If your family is taller than average, you might want to raise it a little. An important piece of art that is to be a focal point over a sofa or other furniture item should be approximately two thirds the width of the lower item, and hung approximately five to ten inches above the furniture. The height of the lower furniture will dictate the ultimate height, although the eye level rule needs to be kept in mind. There are always exceptions; for example if you have a tall headboard in your bedroom with an even taller peak, any artwork hung over it will certainly be higher than 60", and the space between the headboard and bottom of the artwork would be about 4".

Preservation

The display of paintings requires careful consideration. Direct sunlight can cause fading of certain pigments, increased yellowing of varnish, and excessive heat on the painting surface. It is best to exhibit paintings on dividing walls within a building rather than on perimeter walls where temperature fluctuations will be greater and condensation can occur. If paintings are placed on uninsulated exterior walls, it may help to place small rubber spacers on the back of the frame to increase air circulation.

Although a fireplace is often a focal spot for a room, a painting displayed above the mantel of a working fireplace will be exposed to soot, heat, and environmental extremes. Hanging paintings above heating and air conditioning vents or in bathrooms with tubs or showers is also inadvisable because the rapid environmental fluctuations will be harmful. Select a safe place away from high traffic and seating areas.

When lighting paintings, use indirect lighting. Lights that attach to the top of the frame and hang over the picture can be dangerous. These lights cast a harsh glare, illuminate and heat the painting unevenly, and can fall into the artwork causing burns or tears. Indirect sunlight, recessed lighting, or ceiling-mounted spotlights are best for home installations. Halogen lamps are increasingly popular, but halogen bulbs emit high levels of ultraviolet light (the part of the spectrum that is damaging to artworks) and should be fitted with an ultraviolet filter when used near light-sensitive materials. These bulbs also have been known to explode and may pose a fire hazard. Tungsten lamps may be preferable for home lighting.

Low or high relative humidity as well as rapid changes in relative humidity are not good for paintings. Low relative humidity tends to minimize chemical change. However, it also tends to make the paint brittle and prone to mechanical damage. High relative humidity tends to minimize mechanical damage. However, it tends to promote the growth of biological organisms. Mould growth in the form of black spots has been seen in canvas paintings, especially acrylic paintings.

Too much change in relative humidity is especially bad for wooden panel paintings. In response to fluctuations of humidity and the shielding effect of the paint layer on top, the wooden panel has a tendency to slowly form a concave shape. Historically, restorers have flattened the wood panel; however, in time, this procedure has caused the paint layer on the other side to flake off. Conservators have since recommended that one should avoid applying excess pressure to constrain the natural tendency of wood to curve.