Owning a work of art is an indescribable experience. Keen collectors are advised to care for it to ensure that it remains in mint condition.
There can be no greater joy than owning your own work of art, an original masterpiece to enjoy in all its glory within your home. It is much more than just a physical and decorative item, but a piece of history, one that has an emotional impact.
As with most objects of value, to ensure that a work of art remains in impeccable condition, it has to be properly cared for from the very day it is purchased. Art, after all, ages, thus requiring a reasonable amount of effort every now and again to preserve its integrity. This guide highlights some key areas to be aware of.
Art that moves and sits still
This is, surprisingly, an area that tends to be overlooked, especially by those who are new to purchasing fine works of art. The key rule here is to invest in the services of a specialist moving and storage company, like Cadogan Tate, who have the experience and skills needed to safely transport valuable objects.
Equally, such companies offer storage solutions for galleries and collectors who are tentative about what they are doing with certain works of art. It would be easy to store a painting in a regular storeroom, but this increases the chances of it getting damaged.
To shield or not to shield
You can never beat the experience of seeing a work of art up close and personal, faint draft lines sometimes discernible, the texture fully visible, that indefinable smell of paint lingering in its immediate environment.
However, certain works would welcome some form of shelter; one that protects the work against the elements without diminishing its viewing experience.
While oil and acrylic paintings prove to be the exception to the rule – a varnish acts as a natural shield – pastel, charcoal and watercolour works need to be framed behind glass.
The multifarious nature of hanging
Hanging a work of art is not a black and white endeavour. There’s a lot to think about beyond just banging a nail into a wall and positioning it so that it is straight. For one, paintings can be put up in a number of ways, which is vital to note – preserving the integrity of the canvas matters.
As a failsafe rule, use a heavy duty multi-strand brass hanging wire, one that is attached to the painting via two eyehooks on either side of the frame. This provides the ideal support and flexibility required to ensure that a frame is safe and secured.
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