Hanging and Display

Table of Contents

Traditionally oil paintings are framed without glass as they already have the protection of their coat of varnish. However works on paper such as watercolours, drawings, prints, photos, engravings or etchings must be glazed to protect them from surface damage and dirt. While styrene glazing is used and is lighter and less fragile and safer than glass, it scratches easily and attracts dust. For valuable works on paper consider glazing with one of the modern UV filter glasses which are expensive but can filter out up to 95% of harmful UV rays.

If possible it is advisable to avoid hanging pictures over any heat source, as dirt or smoke will be carried up and could mark the picture. Watercolours should only be hung in indirect light as strong light, may encourage fading or discolouration. Oil paint is less likely to fade but will sometimes dry and crack in high temperatures caused by central heating, fires, direct sunlight or other forms of heat. Panels too may warp or crack as a result of heat or extremes of temperature.

Wide variations in temperature or humidity are not good for any paintings or frames. Do not hang pictures on damp walls. To help air circulate especially if hung on an outside wall, we allow the picture to lean away from the wall at the top and use white felt bumpers on the bottom corners of the frame.

Paintings should always be hung securely using strong brass wire. Eyehooks should be screwed securely into the frame only and not the stretcher or backboard.

For very hard walls we use special toly hard wall hooks which have 3 or 4 short pre-loaded hardened pins or alternatively drill and raw plug the wall. Always use two hooks for both safety and to prevent the picture 'swinging'. Very heavy paintings may need to be fixed to the wall with our solid brass plates.