Can you store framed art vertically? Yes, framed art can generally be stored vertically, provided it is done correctly to prevent damage. This blog post will guide you through the best practices for storing your valuable art collection, ensuring its longevity and beauty. Storing art properly is crucial for art preservation and maintaining its value. Whether you’re a seasoned collector or just starting, learning how to store art safely is paramount. We’ll delve into everything from archiving artwork to the specific needs of different mediums.
The Importance of Proper Storage
Your art collection represents more than just decor; it’s an investment, a reflection of taste, and often, a piece of history. Therefore, preventing art damage through meticulous storage is not just a good idea, it’s essential. Improper storage can lead to irreversible harm, from fading and warping to mold and insect infestation. Good storage practices act as a shield, protecting your pieces from the elements and the passage of time.
Why Bother with Special Storage?
- Environmental Factors: Light, humidity, temperature fluctuations, and pollutants can all degrade art materials over time.
- Physical Damage: Dust, pests, improper handling, and direct contact with other objects can cause scratches, tears, or structural weaknesses.
- Chemical Reactions: Certain materials react with each other or with the atmosphere, causing deterioration.
Key Elements for Safe Art Storage
When considering how to store art, several core principles come into play. These form the foundation of effective art preservation.
Climate Control for Art
This is perhaps the most critical aspect of storing art. Stable environmental conditions are vital for preventing damage.
Temperature Stability
- Ideal Range: Most artworks thrive in a consistent temperature, generally between 65-75°F (18-24°C).
- Avoid Extremes: Rapid or significant temperature swings are detrimental. They cause materials to expand and contract, leading to cracks, warping, and delamination, especially in paintings and framing artwork.
- Consistency is Key: A stable temperature, even if slightly outside the ideal range, is better than constant fluctuations.
Humidity Control
- Ideal Range: Relative humidity (RH) should ideally be between 45% and 55%.
- High Humidity Effects: Promotes mold growth, can cause paper to cockle, and can weaken adhesives in framed pieces.
- Low Humidity Effects: Can cause materials to become brittle, leading to cracking (especially in paint layers) and shrinking, which can also stress frames and canvases.
- Monitoring: Use a hygrometer to track RH levels in your storage area. Dehumidifiers or humidifiers may be necessary to maintain the target range.
Light Exposure
- Minimize Light: Light, particularly UV radiation, is a significant cause of fading and discoloration in pigments and paper.
- Storage Locations: Avoid storing art in direct sunlight or areas with high levels of artificial light. If light is unavoidable, use UV-filtering glass or acrylic for framed pieces.
- Darkness is Best: For long-term archiving artwork, storage in a dark environment is ideal.
Air Quality
- Ventilation: Good air circulation helps prevent the buildup of stagnant, humid air and potential mold growth.
- Pollutants: Avoid storing art near sources of pollution, such as exhaust fumes, chemical fumes, or even certain types of wood that off-gas harmful acids.
Material Protection
The materials used to protect your artwork during storage are as important as the storage environment itself.
Archival Quality Materials
- Acid-Free: Always use acid-free papers, boards, and storage containers. Acidity in materials can leach into the artwork, causing discoloration and weakening the fibers over time.
- Buffered vs. Unbuffered: Buffered materials (containing an alkaline reserve) are good for paper and certain textiles. Unbuffered materials are better for albumen prints and some other sensitive photographic materials.
- Inert Plastics: Use plastics like Mylar (polyester film), polyethylene, or polypropylene for wrapping or creating sleeves. Avoid PVC (polyvinyl chloride) as it can degrade and release harmful acids.
Packaging Techniques
- Framed Art:
- Wrap each piece individually in acid-free tissue paper or a polyester sleeve.
- Use acid-free corrugated board as a buffer between pieces.
- For valuable or delicate pieces, consider custom archival boxes or crates.
- Unframed Art:
- Prints and Drawings: Place each piece in an acid-free sleeve or between sheets of acid-free glassine paper. Store them flat in archival boxes or portfolios.
- Photographs: Use specific archival sleeves designed for photographs. Store them flat or upright in archival boxes.
- Textiles and Tapestries:
- Roll, don’t fold, textiles over acid-free tubes. Pad the tube ends.
- Wrap the rolled textile in unbleached, undyed cotton muslin or acid-free tissue.
- Store rolled textiles horizontally on shelves, supported to prevent sagging.
Storage Furniture and Solutions
The physical storage environment also requires careful consideration for art storage solutions.
Shelving and Cabinets
- Metal: Powder-coated steel shelving is a good option, provided it is sealed and doesn’t have sharp edges. Avoid galvanized steel, which can emit fumes.
- Wood: If using wood, ensure it is sealed with a water-based polyurethane varnish and allowed to cure fully before storing art. This helps prevent off-gassing.
- Avoid Direct Contact: Never let artwork directly touch the surfaces of shelves or cabinets. Use archival boards or custom-made supports.
Storing Different Types of Art
- Protecting Paintings:
- Vertical Storage: Paintings on canvas are best stored vertically, leaning against a wall or on specially designed racks.
- Protection: Cover the surface with glassine paper or a breathable archival fabric. Avoid wrapping the entire painting tightly in plastic.
- No Stacking: Never stack paintings on top of each other.
- Frame Protection: Ensure frames are not touching each other directly; use cardboard or foam padding at contact points.
- Storing Sculptures:
- Stability: Ensure sculptures are placed on stable, level surfaces where they cannot be easily knocked over.
- Padding: Use archival foam or felt to pad contact points with shelves or other objects.
- Covering: For dusty environments, consider covering sculptures with breathable archival fabric covers. Avoid plastic wraps that can trap moisture.
- Handling: Always handle sculptures by their most stable points, using gloves to avoid transferring oils from your skin.
- Flat Files and Portfolios: Ideal for storing unframed works on paper, prints, photographs, and drawings. Ensure these are also stored in a climate-controlled environment.
Handling Delicate Art
Handling delicate art requires utmost care and attention to detail. Simple mistakes can lead to significant damage.
General Handling Guidelines
- Clean Hands: Always wash and dry your hands thoroughly before handling art. Better yet, wear clean, lint-free cotton or nitrile gloves. Oils and dirt from bare hands can stain and degrade materials.
- Support: Always support the artwork from the back and bottom. Never apply pressure to the surface or fragile edges.
- Two Hands: Use both hands to support the weight of the artwork.
- Clear Path: Ensure you have a clear, unobstructed path to move the artwork.
- Avoid Bending: Never bend or fold artworks, especially those on paper or canvas.
- No Eating or Drinking: Keep food and drinks away from your art storage areas.
Specific Handling Tips
- Framed Artwork:
- Support the frame and the back of the artwork.
- Be mindful of hanging hardware and any protruding elements.
- When carrying, keep the artwork upright and away from your body.
- Unframed Works on Paper:
- Slide them out of storage carefully.
- Support the entire sheet. If it’s particularly fragile, use a rigid board underneath.
- Avoid touching the image area directly.
- Ceramics and Glass:
- Support the base and the sides.
- Be aware of any points where the object might be thinner or more fragile.
Creating a Dedicated Art Storage Space
Ideally, a dedicated space for archiving artwork offers the most control over environmental factors.
Choosing the Right Location
- Interior Room: An interior room with no exterior walls is best, as it minimizes temperature and humidity fluctuations caused by outside weather.
- Avoid Basements and Attics: These areas are prone to extreme temperature swings, high humidity, and potential water damage or pest infestations.
- Controlled Environment: If possible, a climate-controlled storage unit or a specially designed room within your home is the ultimate solution.
Setting Up Your Storage Space
- Shelving: Install sturdy, appropriate shelving. Ensure it’s not too close to the ceiling for air circulation.
- Climate Monitoring: Place reliable thermometers and hygrometers in the space. Consider a data logger for continuous monitoring.
- Pest Control: Keep the area clean and free of food sources. Regularly inspect for signs of pests. Consider professional pest management solutions that are safe for artwork.
- Fire Safety: Install smoke detectors and fire extinguishers. Avoid storing flammable materials in the art storage area.
Long-Term Preservation Strategies
Art preservation is an ongoing commitment. Beyond initial storage, consider these long-term strategies.
Regular Inspections
- Frequency: Inspect your artwork at least annually, or more frequently for particularly valuable or sensitive pieces.
- What to Look For: Check for signs of mold, insect activity, fading, warping, tears, or any other changes.
- Documentation: Keep a record of your collection, including acquisition details, condition reports, and any conservation work done.
Professional Conservation
- When to Seek Help: If you notice any signs of damage or deterioration, consult a professional conservator. They have the expertise and tools to address issues without causing further harm.
- Preventative Conservation: Conservators can also advise on best practices for your specific collection and recommend preventative measures.
Insurance
- Valuation: Ensure your artwork is properly appraised and insured for its current market value.
- Coverage: Check that your insurance policy covers the specific risks associated with storing and displaying artwork.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the best temperature and humidity for storing art?
The generally recommended range for storing most artworks is a stable temperature between 65-75°F (18-24°C) and a relative humidity of 45-55%. Consistency is more important than hitting an exact number, as fluctuations are more damaging than being slightly outside the ideal range.
Can I store framed art horizontally?
While vertical storage is often preferred for paintings and framed pieces to prevent stress on the canvas or frame, horizontal storage can be acceptable for framed works if they are properly supported and not stacked too high. However, for long-term storage and maximum protection, vertical is generally better.
How do I protect paintings from damage during storage?
To protect paintings, store them vertically, ideally leaning against a padded surface or on specialized racks. Cover the surface with glassine paper or a breathable archival fabric. Avoid wrapping the entire painting in plastic, as this can trap moisture. Ensure there is ample space to prevent them from being bumped or scratched.
What are good art storage solutions for unframed works on paper?
Unframed works on paper, such as prints and drawings, should be stored flat in archival boxes or portfolios. Each piece should be placed in an acid-free sleeve or between sheets of acid-free glassine paper to prevent sticking and damage.
How should I handle delicate art?
Always handle delicate art with clean, lint-free gloves. Support the artwork from the back and bottom with both hands. Ensure you have a clear path and avoid bending or dropping the piece. For extremely fragile items, consider consulting a professional for guidance on handling and transport.
What does “archiving artwork” mean in terms of storage?
Archiving artwork refers to storing it in a manner that ensures its long-term preservation and accessibility for future generations. This involves using archival-quality materials, maintaining stable environmental conditions (climate control), and employing careful handling and storage techniques to prevent deterioration.
Is it okay to store art in its original frame?
It depends on the frame. If the original frame is structurally sound and made of materials that are not actively degrading (e.g., crumbling gesso, acidic varnish), it might be acceptable. However, for long-term preservation, especially if the frame is not archival, it’s often better to reframe the artwork using archival materials or store the artwork separately from a deteriorating frame, taking care not to damage the artwork in the process.
What is the role of framing artwork in its preservation?
Framing artwork serves a dual purpose: aesthetic display and physical protection. A well-constructed frame with archival mats, backing boards, and UV-filtering glass or acrylic can shield the artwork from dust, pollutants, physical damage, and harmful light rays. The frame also provides a structure for handling and hanging.
How can I prevent art damage when moving or transporting my collection?
When moving or transporting art, use proper packing materials like bubble wrap (with a protective layer of archival paper between the bubble wrap and the artwork), sturdy boxes, and padding. For valuable or large pieces, consider professional art movers. Secure items within the vehicle to prevent shifting.
What are some common mistakes to avoid when storing art?
Common mistakes include storing art in attics or basements, exposing it to direct sunlight or fluctuating temperatures/humidity, using non-archival materials, stacking items improperly, and handling art with bare hands.
By implementing these guidelines, you can significantly enhance the longevity and condition of your art collection, ensuring its beauty can be enjoyed for years to come.