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Paintings
Paintings are susceptible to many forms of damage. Changes in the environment in which a painting is hung or stored can lead to the painting contracting and expanding, which will weaken the structure and ultimately result in a deterioration of its condition. The risk of damage can be greatly reduced by maintaining a consistent display or storage environment.
Many museums control room temperature at around 20˚C with a relative humidity of 55%. It is therefore important to consider the following:
- Avoid hanging or storing pictures above fireplaces, radiators, heating pipes and any other heating equipment, or vents.
- Avoid hanging or storing directly onto walls which are susceptible to damp.
- Avoid hanging or storing in direct sunlight.
Paintings can also be accidentally damaged, resulting in dents, punctures and tears to the canvas. To minimise the risk of such damages, the following should be considered:
- Avoid hanging paintings where they might accidentally be knocked, such as next to doors, shelving, and furniture or in busy corridors.
- Paintings in storage should be kept off the ground to avoid the possibility of damage from dampness or standing water. Ideally, they should be stored in racks at least 15 centimetres off the ground.
- Paintings should not be stored against each other, as dents and scratches then become inevitable. Thin boards should be placed between them.
- When paintings are being moved, they should be carried facing away from the carrier, with one hand underneath the frame and one at the side. Carriers should wear cotton gloves.
- Transit of paintings should be carried out by professional packers and shippers.
Furniture
As with paintings, furniture is also prone to damage from changes in environment. Wood can contract in low humidity and expand in high humidity, with these movements potentially resulting in cracks and splits or the lifting of veneers. Furniture should be kept in a constant environment, away from radiators or exposure to direct sunlight.
Furniture can also become damaged through handling. Check that furniture is structurally sound before attempting to move it and that cabinet doors and drawers are locked. Marble tops should be removed separately and should be carried vertically, never horizontally.
In order to protect both the furniture and the carriers, the weight should be assessed before deciding how many people are needed to move it safely. Furniture should be lifted straight up and not dragged, pulled or pushed as the stresses involved can quickly result in damage. Furniture transit should be carried out by professional packers and shippers.
Furniture should be checked regularly for signs such as small holes in the wood which signal pest infestation. If infestation is discovered, a conservator should be contacted immediately for further advice and the infested item should be moved away from other items.
Ceramics and glass
Ceramics and glass do not tend to be affected by changes in the environment to the same extent as paintings and
furniture. They are of course, very susceptible to breakage.
In order to try to prevent damage to ceramics and glass, they should ideally be displayed in suitable cabinets which stand firmly on the floor and are not exposed to vibration when people walk past. The shelves should be checked regularly and should not be overcrowded. Items should not be propped against one another as this can cause scratches or cracks.
When handling ceramics or glass, hands should be clean and dry, as some items may be porous and easily marked with grease, dirt or perspiration. Lids should carefully be removed. Objects should not be lifted by handles, arms or rims as these are all potential areas of weakness. If items are to be moved to a different room, they should be wrapped in acid-free tissue paper and placed in a strong box padded with foam and bubble wrap.
If items are to be transported, professional packers and shippers should be used. In the event of a breakage all fragments, however small, must be collected and wrapped in acid-free tissue paper. No attempt must be made to fit the pieces together as this can lead to further damage.
Books and manuscripts
Books tend to be constructed from organic materials and are therefore susceptible to damage from changes in environment. If the surrounding air is too damp, books can become infested with mould and insects. If it is too dry, books can become brittle.
In addition, handling can also cause damage to books and manuscripts, particularly old books as the paper may be
weak or previously damaged.
In order to store books safely, the following points should be considered:
- Avoid direct light and direct heat (such as radiators).
- Avoid moisture and maintain good air circulation. To reduce the risk of condensation, do not push books to the back of the shelf.
- Avoid storing in attics or basements as these areas are prone to the ingress of water.
- Store books upright on shelves to avoid their shape becoming distorted.
- Avoid storing books too tightly on shelves as this can result in damage when pulling them off or forcing them back onto the shelf.
Prints, drawings and watercolours
Works of art on paper are susceptible to paper deterioration and fading pigments. As with other forms of fine art, controlling the environment is essential to their protection. If works are hung on cold walls then condensation can form and encourage mould growth, whereas conditions which are too dry can cause the paper to become brittle.
Works on paper are particularly prone to deterioration through exposure to light and consideration should be given as to whether they should be hung behind UV filtered glass. A conservator should be contacted to discuss the best solution as any framing needs to be sensitive to the materials used on the surface of the work.
Any handling should be kept to a minimum and the surface should not be touched as works on paper are easily smudged and stained.
Bronze
Like paintings bronze can be susceptible to extreme cold or heat and humidity, any changes could change the patina (the surface of the bronze) or with extreme temperature changes even cause cracking as the metal expands and contracts.
Again, thinking carefully about where a bronze is sited is very important and how it is cleaned to avoid damage or scratching. Dust gently with a soft cloth when required to avoid abrading the patina and avoid the use of cleaners in case they ruin the bronze’s surface.
A specialist should be contacted and engaged for any repairs.
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