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.
