 Frame
your art with preservation in mind and it will look like new for years
to come!
If you own art there are two things you need to know. Not all artwork
is alike, and none of it comes with a maintenance manual. Yet unless your
artwork is cared for properly, it will deteriorate. So, how do you decide
when and how to care for your artwork?
The answer to that question is complex. How the artwork was created,
where it has been and under what conditions, and what kind of care or
treatment it has received all affect its future care. The more you know,
the better care you can give. This care starts with your decision to frame
and display your art. When framing, consider these questions:
If decorative qualities-color, style, design-are your most important
considerations, then you may choose framing materials and techniques based
solely on your decorating needs.
If the longevity and preservation of your art is your primary concern,
then the selection of framing materials and techniques must all be directed
toward preservation.
If both the preservation of the artwork and the decorative value of its
framing are equally important, you may have to adjust either some of your
decorating expectations or your preservation concerns.
There are no right or wrong answers to these questions; each piece of
art has its own value and should be framed accordingly.
 Choosing
Materials
The materials used to frame your artwork have a direct effect on it.
The type of matting used, the materials used to mount the artwork, and
even the glass in the frame are all important. Words like “acid-free”,
“pH neutral”, and “archival” are often used to describe
mat boards and backboards suitable for preservation framing. Most of these
materials have an additive or buffering agent to reduce any acidic condition
which may occur. Mat boards and backing boards that are not preservation
quality may become acidic over time, and damage the artwork they surround.
Because paper reacts to changes in temperature and humidity-expanding
when they are high and shrinking when they are low-it is often mounted
to keep it flat. Yet there are objections to fully mounting art: if the
art becomes damaged at a later time, it may be harder to conserve if it
is fully mounted. The mounting may also introduce materials into the artwork
that may not be removable.
There are preservation alternatives that you may consider which allow
the art to be mounted in ways that are reversible, and which allow the
art to change with temperature and humidity while framed.
Surface protection is also important. Glazing, either glass or acrylic,
keeps foreign substances (like airborne dust or oil from fingerprints)
off the surface of the art. UV-blocking glass or acrylic will also help
to protect your art from fading and other types of damage caused by ultraviolet
light rays.
Display
How and where your art is displayed will also have a direct effect on
its condition and longevity. Environmental elements-light, humidity, temperature,
and even pollution-can affect your artwork. Discuss where you intend to
hang your art with a framer as you plan your frame design.
Art, like everything else, needs constant care. Sometimes this care and
maintenance should be performed by a trained specialist. When in doubt,
ask. Making informed decisions about framing your art will add to your
enjoyment of it and improve its condition and longevity. To learn more
about the care of artworks, visit our Learning Center on this website.
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