How to Look After Your Very Own Louvre
Acquiring fine art for your home collection can be an immensely satisfying endeavour, but the initial purchase is only the first step in a lifetime commitment. To ensure you get the years of pleasure and gratification out of your artwork that it deserves, it’s prudent to care for it in a fitting manner.
Whether you’re transporting it long distances, putting it into storage, performing general maintenance or finding the perfect place to showcase your new acquisition, attention and respect should be paid at all times. Here are a few handy hints and tips to keep your artwork looking as immaculate and impressive as the day you bought it.
Transporting
At Doinel, we have a wealth of experience in moving artwork all over the globe. As a result, we’re well placed to offer advice if you find yourself in need of shifting your artwork from A to B. Primarily, it’s important that you:
- Bubble wrap the artwork adequately, paying special attention to the corners (the most vulnerable part of the piece).
- Pack the wrapped artwork inside a cardboard box, using packing material to take up any leftover space so that the picture does not rattle about inside the loose box.
- Always handle the piece with care, using two hands at either side of the frame. Do not lift single-handedly by the top of the frame for fear of damaging or distorting the artwork.
Hanging
Once you’ve safely got your artwork home, the next step is to find a great location where it can be enjoyed by everyone who visits your house. When sourcing a spot, you’ll want to:
- Avoid placing it in direct sunlight, as this can stress the artwork and lead to fading. If unavoidable, make sure you use a non-reflective glass (to reduce glare) and treat it with a coating to protect from UV rays.
- Choose a place where the artwork will not be bumped into or brushed by passers-by. This is especially pertinent when considering whether to hang a picture in a hallway or foyer.
- Avoid extremes in atmosphere, including temperature and humidity. Excessive heat, cold, humidity and aridity can lead to complications for the artwork.
Maintenance
Just as with any other valued item in your home, you should regularly check your artwork for signs of wear and tear. Unfortunately, many people hang a picture and then neglect to check its condition until damage has occurred. What’s more, airborne particles from cooking oils, cigarette smoke and grime from insects can build up on artwork over time. If you do need to clean a piece, you should:
- Use a feather duster or clean, dry cloth to wipe away any unwanted residue. Avoid using damp cloths or chemical cleaning products on pictures with no glass frame.
- Spray cleaning agents onto the cloth rather than directly onto the artwork when cleaning those housed behind glass or Perspex.
- Check wooden frames for signs of woodworm on a regular basis. Avoid using chemicals when cleaning the wood.
Storage
If you find yourself in the enviable position of owning too many pictures to display all at once, you’ll need to find a safe place to store your excess artwork. When storing artwork, it’s essential that you:
- Do not lean artworks against each other – use cardboard to separate out prints. Similarly, don’t lean anything else against the surface of a picture as they can be easily scratched or damaged.
- Cover with a cotton sheet to prevent the build-up of dust over time. Avoid using plastic to cover pictures, since over-exposure to plastic can lead to mould in humid conditions.
- Keep them raised above floor level to prevent the possibility of water damage and to improve air flow.
