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Title: Placing your precious paintings in storage

Author: Sandy Cosser

Article:
There are occasions when it is necessary to place valuable
possessions in storage. In these instances, it's important to
see that the storage conditions are conducive to the safety and
preservation of your valuables. Works of art, and paintings in
particular, are vulnerable to changes in the environment and can
be easily damaged owing to excessive handling. Many materials
are used when creating an oil or acrylic painting, such as
fibreboard support material, preparation layers, various layers
of paint, and varnish. Each of these will react differently to
handling and the environment, and will contribute to the
condition of the painting.

Each time a painting is handled there is an increased chance
that it can be damaged. Changes in environment can also have an
adverse effect on its preservation. In dry environments, such as
an attic or household that's dependent on heating, the paint is
particularly vulnerable to cracking. If it's necessary to
transport a painting in cold weather, ensure that the
transportation vehicle is heated. The optimum condition for the
transport of paintings is moderate temperature and a neither too
high nor too low humidity level.

Packaging of the painting for transport is extremely important.
Wrapping should include moisture and water resistance, and
puncture and dent resistance at the front as well as the back.
The wrapping should also include insulation against extreme
heat, coldness and sudden changes in temperature, and should be
cushioned for shock absorption and protection against bumps and
accidental drops. After the successful transportation of your
painting, you must take the appropriate measures for its safe
storage. Try to match the climate conditions of the storage
facility as closely as possible to those in which the painting
will ultimately be displayed. Airflow is an important factor in
the storage of paintings. They should be raised off the floor
for maximum airflow and to prevent possible water damage. Cotton
sheets should be used as covers, as this will prevent mould.

If you are storing many paintings it's advisable to insert
carton dividers between them to avoid undue pressure. Interior
walls are best for stacking your paintings, as they are drier
than exterior walls. If the storage is long-term, examine the
paintings from time to time to check for degradation. On these
occasions they should be dusted, and the covers and other means
of protection should be changed. Sachets of silica gel, which
absorb moisture from the air, can be used to protect the
paintings from humidity.

Leonardo Da Vinci's famous painting, the Mona Lisa, is an
example of a brilliant work of art showing visible signs of wear
and tear. The Louvre, in Paris, has made a relatively
controversial decision to not restore old paintings simply
because they look old. They believe that works of art should
look their age. This is why the sky in the Mona Lisa remains a
coppery colour instead of a vivid blue, as it was originally
painted. Curators at the museum say that the coppery look has
been acquired through the repeated application of varnish over
several centuries.

The National Gallery in London, on the other hand, follows a
different approach. It removes built up, yellow varnish from its
paintings and applies a fresh, clear coat. Restorers know that
the process will have to be repeated, perhaps in a 25-year
cycle, but they believe that paintings should be viewed as the
artists intended them.

Paintings are often bought, not only for their beauty and
aesthetic value, but also as investments. Well maintained works
of art can double or triple in value, making them an excellent
return on investment. To keep them in good condition, however,
it's necessary to pamper them and treat them as delicate, but
temperamental, loved ones. Taking the proper care when
displaying, and especially when storing them, could result in a
monetary sum that makes the effort worthwhile. Recommended
Sites:
http://www.preservation.gc.ca/howto/articles/painting_e.asp#top

http://www.sternart.com/article_item.asp?ID=1

http://www.oberlin.edu/alummag/oamcurrent/oam_fall2002/main_conse
rvation_1.htm

About the author:
Sandra wrote this article for the online marketers The Storage
Depot <a href="http://www.thestoragedepot.co.uk"> providers of
top quality self-storage facilities</a> one of the leading
companies in the UK offering self-storage facilities.

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