Art Preservation: An art itself Art preservation is an art in itself. Owning an exquisite piece of art is a good beginning but the next step for the discerning art lover is to know what’s involved in maintaining it in its pristine condition. Art conservation refers to the set of methods and techniques that help to keep a piece of art in its original condition for as long as possible. The most important aspect in art conservation is framing and proper mounting. Framesmust be large enough to allow the artwork to expand and contract with normal fluctuation in humidity. Raising the front glazing from the surface of the art with spacers or window mats gives paper room to move naturally. Tight frames can causeripples by forcing the expanding paper to crush into itself. The backs of oil canvasesand frames should not be completely sealed. A dust cover that is secured to the top of the back frame and loose on the bottom should be used. After the framing and mounting process, one needs to consider its placement in the room after with a view to increasing longevity. The artwork should never be exposed to extremes of heat, cold, or humidity and should not be placed near sources of intense heat such as fireplaces or radiators. Sunlight and heat can causethe most damage to artwork. If placed in these locations, your art will start to fade and crack over time. The next step is keeping your artwork clean. Art preservation involves a daily care regimen that includes cleaning, dusting and repair, if necessary. Equally important are the techniques you use in carrying out these activities: •
Dust canvas surfaces with a soft and dry duster and clean glasswith a soft cloth sprayed with a mild glasscleaner;
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A painting should never be cleaned with soap and water or rubbed using paper, towels or hands;
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Paintings are also susceptible to pests and steps to protect them from these attacks are also very important. Pests of any kind can do serious damage to a painting.
Another factor to be careful about is light. Light can fade, darken or embrittle paper. Light damage is cumulative and irreversible. Artwork should be displayed in low light levels and not under direct daylight. In order to prevent harsh daylight from hitting the piece, windows should be blocked with shades, blinds or curtains. Light sources containing ultraviolet (UV) rays are especially harmful. Ordinary household bulbs contain negligible UV and are therefore recommended. But these bulbs still give off heat and should not be located too close to the painting. Paintings are very prone to moisture damage. In order to prevent this, a picture mount should be used to create an air gap between the artwork and the glassso that no condensation can collect and damage the artwork. Moreover, our body produces certain oils that can cause damage with excessive handling and so avoid handling your artwork with bare hands. It’s better to leave this job to a professional art conservator.
Art Preservation: An art itself Thesetechniques can be used - separately or cumulatively - depending on the type of art in question. To sum it up, art preservation is not difficult but requires a careful consideration of the many elements that can affect the quality of your piece in the long run.