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Caring for paintings is not that difficult, what one wants to do is use some gentle care and consider some preventative medicine. With that in mind, most paintings should last us a life time or more. These few basic tips will help even the best tried and true art patrons, not to mention the novice collector, or a decorator looking for some art to spice up or add drama to a new decor.
Never lean the front or back surface of a stretched canvas on a sharp or pointed object, no matter how small. This will leave a dent that will damage your art. If you lean it against anything lean it on the wood of its stretcher bars so nothing presses against the canvas.
Prolonged exposure to direct sunlight or ultraviolet light such as halogen or florescent lighting will fade the colors in your acrylic or oil painting on canvas. Ultraviolet light may also cause paintings to become brittle and yellow. Once paint has faded it is very difficult to restore and is damaged. Protect your investment.
Think carefully about this when choosing a location for your painting. Your painting has been treated but the environment can be brutal to art. Dust your painting regularly. Do not spray anything such as furniture polish or household cleaners on paintings. It's best to dust with a very soft, dry cloth gently, do not get it wet.
If you transport your art, lay a flat piece of cardboard, mat board or similar firm material over the front and back surfaces, and then wrap it in bubble wrap or Styrofoam wrap. Try not to keep it wrapped up for too long so as to avoid moisture buildup which can cause damage to your painting.
It's best not to hang or store artwork in overly hot environments. High heat may cause artwork to become brittle, yellow, and faded. The damage adds up fast.
The temperature on the interior side of the wall differs from an exterior side. This condition may cause condensation to form on the inside of the glazing or within other elements of framed artwork. Condensation may lead to mildew or mold in humid climates.
Check your artwork while cleaning for molds and mildew. Moisture may cause crackling, staining, and warping of artwork, in both paintings and prints.
Avoid hanging or storing artwork in overly moist environments such as some bathrooms, kitchens, or basements. Mold spores are carried in dust and lie dormant in dry conditions, but tend to germinate in moist conditions and climates.
Stay away from storing or hanging artwork where it is susceptible to insects. Insects such as crickets and termites eat wood, paper, and fabric. Spiders leave webs and all insects, even flies leave specks.
Try not to hang much less store artwork in smoky environments. Smoke can yellow your painting and damage it. Hanging artwork above working fireplaces that are not well vented or get too hot can cause problems too. It's always an idea to put your hand on the wall to check temperatures where your painting hangs.
Hands must be clean to attend to your paintings. Extreme care must be taken when cleaning the surface of artwork. Finger oils cause damaging oily prints and smudges. Dusting or cleaning brushes can cause scratches.
Use two hands when lifting, carrying, or checking artwork. Never lift or carry artwork with just one hand. It can stress your painting. Properly cared for a painting should last a life time so that one can hand it down to those that follow you. All one has to do is use a bit of common sense and some extra loving care.
Guide created: 10/05/05 (updated 07/22/08)
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