There’s a reason why museums keep their paintings stored and displayed in a very particular way, and it’s not for aesthetic reasons. Oil paintings are especially vulnerable to damage caused by their environment. To increase longevity, you need to be cautious about where you hang your paintings.
You should never hang your oil paintings in direct sunlight, above or near a heat source, or next to a humidifier. Additionally, putting an oil painting outside or in a sunroom can damage the paint and shorten the longevity of your oil painting.
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4 Places Where You Should Never Hang an Oil Painting
I think it’s safe to say that if you have purchased an oil painting or crafted one yourself, you want it to last for as long as possible. That being said, you also want it to be out in the open where you and other people can appreciate it.
However, where you hang your oil painting matters. Ultimately, it could damage all the hard work – or hard-earned money – that went into your painting.
We want our paintings to be where they can be enjoyed. But to make our paintings last, we should proceed with caution. You can do a few things during the painting process, like investing in your canvas and paints or even getting your painting framed (but not in glass, as this will ALSO damage your painting).
Where you put your painting can also help increase its longevity. Let’s dive into the absolute no-no places to hang your oil painting.
Below, I’ll talk about these four places where you should never hang your oil painting and why. I’ll go over how these locations can cause damage and how you can better protect the canvas and frame. Additionally, I’ll give some general advice on where to put your paintings.
In Direct Sunlight
Direct sunlight can damage your oil paintings. Sunlight can damage the paints if they’re exposed for prolonged periods. Also, indoor lighting has the
same effect. Not to mention that both of these places are prone to high temperatures, which is also not great for paintings.
This does not mean you can’t hang up your painting in a room with windows or lights. Still, you need to be mindful of where the light from outside is hitting your walls. There are possibly places on your wall that are exposed to sunlight for nearly half the day whereas others may only get an hour or two. Opt for areas that minimize sunlight exposure.
Above or Near a Heat Source
Heat can be a huge factor in your oil paintings chipping, cracking, or flaking. It also contributes to damage done to canvases. Extensive damage can occur in a painting placed near a fireplace because the heat can become too much for the paint and canvas. In rooms hotter than others, such as your kitchen or a well-heated room, this effect will take longer, but it will still happen.
Avoid putting your paintings above, below, or near any sources of high heat.
Near a Humidifier
Humidity is a significant cause of damage post-painting and pre-displaying. However, is it still a bad thing once your paint has dried? Actually, yes!
The moistening and subsequent drying of the canvas tends to stretch and then shrink the fabric laid across your wood panels. So putting your painting near a humidifier or in a humid room will most likely destroy the canvas. However, it’ll do more damage to the painting than anything else.
Oil paints are prone to cracking because of their aging and oxidation process. They become even more vulnerable when humid because they’re stretching and moving along with the canvas. And since the canvas below the painting is stretching and shrinking, it can also cause damage to the painting itself.
Outside or in Your Sunroom
Because of the two reasons above, it’s probably a good idea to keep your oil paintings out of the sunroom or any other outdoor space. In most places, the weather outside is unpredictable in the best of circumstances, with rain, snow, or high winds affecting landscapes and even the strongest decor.
However, even in sunny California or always-warm Florida, the temperatures and humidity are likely to destroy your oil painting in a much shorter time than typical aging would.
How To Increase Longevity
You may be wondering if there are ways to increase the longevity of your oil painting. Hopefully, the above information has deterred you away from the fireplace, right above the kitchen stove, and near the heater vent in your bedroom. Additionally, you might be looking into less fragile art to put in your sunroom or outside on your patio.
You can increase the longevity of your oil paintings by:
- Storing them in the right place
- Investing in high quality materials
- Paying attention to your painting process
Hence, you can control your painting’s aging at every step of your painting journey; from purchasing the canvas all the way up to hanging it on your wall.
Adding primer and varnish while in the midst of the painting process can also go a long way. Making sure you’re not globbing paint on too thick, you have suitable paints to do the job, and not mixing things can also help prevent cracking.
So, where can you hang your oil painting in this case? As mentioned above, keep your paintings out of areas with too high temperatures or too high humidity. A room around 75°F or 23°C should be perfect for your oil painting.
Final Words
Where you hang your oil paintings matters as putting them in the wrong place can increase their risk of getting damaged. Hanging your oil paintings in direct sunlight, near a heat source, or in a humid space can end up cracking the paint or stretching the canvas.
With these risks in mind, you should hang your painting in a place where you can enjoy it every day. Take care of your paintings and use best practices to increase their longevity. Finally, don’t forget to go for long lasting products when buying your paint brushes and canvases!
Sources
- Picture Frames Express UK: A Guide to Hanging Oil Paintings in Picture Frames
- Christies: Ever ything you need to know about hanging art
- Hanging Art in the Kitchen Is a New Design Trend
- The New York Times: Protecting Paintings From Damage