To understand how to look after a painting, you need to understand what a painting is: a piece of the artist’s soul, an expression of an artist’s feelings, hopes and sufferings.
Yes, yes, very true, but on a more practical note, a painting is made up of two parts: the support layer and the image layer. The support layer relates to the canvas or paper that the painting is on plus the supporting frame or stretcher. The image layer relates to “such stuff as dreams are made of”—the painting itself. Artists may use primer and then the paint, which may be oil or water. Sometimes oil paintings may be varnished to protect the painting or to saturate the colours. The image you see when you look at a painting is an interaction of all these layers. They change and deteriorate and take on different physical characteristics over time—varnish oxidises with light and air, turning yellow or brown, paint may become brittle.
The four factors that most affect the health of your painting are temperature, relative humidity, light and ultra-violet radiation and pollution. Ideally, paintings should be stored at a temperature between 18° to 24° C, which of course, would put paid to any Indian keeping any paintings for more than two generations. But temperature is not as important as relative humidity levels. As constant air-conditioning is not feasible for most, an easier solution is to keep paintings in rooms, which are less exposed to outside elements and variations in temperature.
Light is another factor that is hard to control, but UV-blocking films on windows are a solution and do not block natural light. Do not put traditional picture lights over your valued paintings.
The heat and focused light can damage them. Paintings should not be exposed to direct sunlight. Try to use diffused lighting where you display your pieces.
To counter pollution, you have to dust—with extreme care so as to avoid flaking paint, if any. Some experts say vacuum cleaners can be used to remove dirt from the back of dusty paintings.
Another option is to prop the painting up at a forward angle and brush it carefully—in one direction; using a clean, soft, dry natural-hair artists’ brush (of 3.5 cm to 5 cm tip).
You can even use a make-up brush. Never use dusters or feather dusters; they can damage the paint. More serious problems like flaking paint, torn canvas, cracks with lifting edges, wrinkles in the canvas, mould growth, highly discoloured varnish should be left to a professional conservator.
Ensure your paintings are hung securely. Check on hooks, nails and wires regularly.
These are subject to wear and tear—and a huge falling painting can cause damage. Take special care when you are moving paintings; it needs two persons to handle large paintings.
Never lift a painting from the top of the frame, hold a painting from the middle of both sides. Handle with clean hands and remove rings, watches or anything that can scrape the surface.
Map out your route in advance and prepare the place to where you are shifting the painting. If you have to transport the painting, pack it securely: lay flat pieces of thermocol, cardboard, mat board or such firm material over the front and back of your painting. Then wrap the whole in bubble wrap.
Do not keep it wrapped for too long to prevent moisture buildup, which can cause damage to the painting.
With good artwork costing as much, or more, than fine jewellery, wise owners of beautiful paintings should take pains to ensure that the Art they are lucky enough to possess, will be enjoyed for generations to come.
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