How to care for paintings and sculptures.

Light

Direct sunlight poses the greatest risk to colours. UV radiation gradually weakens pigments and accelerates the ageing of varnish. Works on paper are damaged most quickly: prints, drawings and watercolours. It is best to hang a painting away from strong sunlight coming through a window.

LED lights are the best choice for evening lighting. They emit virtually no UV radiation and do not heat the painting’s surface as older halogen bulbs do.

Temperature and humidity

Canvas, wood and paper respond to the air around them. Changes in humidity cause them to contract and expand, which can damage the paint layer. A painting should therefore not hang above a radiator or fireplace, in a bathroom or on a cold, damp external wall.

Stable conditions are safest: room temperature and relative humidity of around 40 to 60 per cent. Avoiding sudden changes matters more than achieving exact figures.

Dust and cleaning

Occasional gentle dusting with a soft, dry brush is all the painting’s surface needs. Do not use water, cleaning products, damp cloths or materials that could catch on the paint’s texture.

To clean the glass of a framed print, apply glass cleaner to a cloth, not directly to the glass. This prevents moisture from seeping beneath the frame.

Hanging and moving

Carry a painting with both hands, holding the sides of the frame or stretcher, never the top bar or hanging wire. Do not touch the painted surface or press the canvas from behind. Even slight pressure can leave a dent or crack the paint.

Larger works are best hung on two hooks suited to the weight of the painting and the wall type. When moving, wrap the painting in paper first, then bubble wrap. Protect the corners and transport it upright.

Prints and works on paper

Works on paper are best framed with a mount and glass, ideally with UV protection. Framing materials in contact with the work should be acid-free, as ordinary cardboard causes paper to yellow over time.

Sculpture in bronze and ceramics

Simply dust bronze with a soft, dry cloth. Do not polish it or use metal cleaners, as these remove the patina: the coloured surface layer that forms part of the work.

Ceramics and plaster are vulnerable to knocks, so they need a stable position away from walkways. Lift a sculpture by its most solid part, ideally from the base, rather than by any protruding elements.

If something goes wrong

Cracked paint, a dent in a canvas or a chip in a sculpture should be assessed by an art conservator. Home repairs usually worsen the condition of the work and make later conservation more difficult. If in doubt, please contact the gallery.