KCR Spring 2025 Magazine - Flipbook - Page 16
The Art of Preservation: How to Exhibit
and Store Fine Art Like a Collector
For art collectors, acquiring a masterpiece is just the beginning. The
real challenge lies in preserving, displaying, and protecting 昀椀ne art to
maintain both its aesthetic and 昀椀nancial value. Whether you own a
multi-million-pound painting, an emerging artist’s sculpture, or a rare
photographic print, how you care for your collection can greatly impact
its longevity and appreciation over time.
Handling and packing art properly are also crucial. Always use white
cotton gloves when touching paintings or works on paper to prevent
transferring oils onto delicate surfaces. Wrap artworks in acid-free
tissue paper for storage and use custom wooden crates for transporting
sculptures or large framed works. When moving exceptionally valuable
pieces, engaging professional 昀椀ne art handlers is highly recommended.
While museums employ teams of conservators, climate-controlled
vaults, and sophisticated security systems, private collectors must navigate the complexities of 昀椀ne art preservation on their own. From choosing the right lighting and framing to understanding humidity control
and insurance, there is a true art to ensuring your collection remains in
pristine condition for generations.
Gander & White (www.ganderandwhite.com) and Convelio
(www.convelio.com) are leading international specialists o昀昀ering bespoke logistics for high-value artworks.
So, how can you best display your art at home? What are the 昀椀nest practices for storage, security, and conservation? And how do top collectors
and galleries safeguard their investments? Here’s your essential guide to
treating your art like a museum-grade collection.
Exhibiting Your Fine Art: Displaying with Elegance and Care
How you display your art plays a crucial role in its preservation and its
daily enjoyment. Whether hanging a classic oil painting, a contemporary
print, or a large-scale installation, thoughtful curation enhances the
artwork while protecting it.
Choosing the right location is vital. Artworks should be displayed away
from direct sunlight, which can cause fading, discolouration, and cracking, particularly in watercolours, photographs, and delicate textiles.
Equally, pieces must be kept away from 昀椀replaces, radiators, and strong
LED lights, as excessive heat can warp frames and alter pigments. A
stable environment, free from drastic 昀氀uctuations in temperature and
humidity, is essential to prevent materials from expanding, contracting,
or deteriorating.
For fragile works, UV-昀椀ltered glass or acrylic glazing o昀昀ers an additional
layer of protection. You can learn more about conservation standards at
The Getty Museum: www.getty.edu/conservation.
Lighting, too, demands careful consideration. LED lights, free from UV
radiation and energy-e昀케cient, are the safest choice for illuminating
昀椀ne art. Adjustable track lighting or recessed ceiling 昀椀xtures create a
museum-quality atmosphere without overwhelming the room. When
positioning lights, a 30-degree angle helps to minimise glare and distribute light evenly across the surface.
Discover museum-grade lighting tips at: www.archlighting.com/technology/how-to-light-artwork-safely-and-beautifully_o.
Framing and mounting are equally important. Museum-quality glass,
acid-free mounting boards, and handcrafted custom frames are essential
to maintaining an artwork’s integrity. Works on paper, such as watercolours or photographs, should always be displayed using archival framing
methods to prevent acid damage.
For expert framing in London, both John Jones Framers (www.johnjones.co.uk) and Frame Set & Match (www.framesetandmatch.com) are
highly regarded by collectors and galleries alike.
Storing Fine Art: Best Practices for Long-Term Preservation
When it comes to storage, proper conditions are critical. Museums
maintain a consistent temperature of 18–21°C and 50–55% humidity
to prevent mould growth, cracking paint layers, and warping of wooden
frames and sculptures. Private collectors can replicate these conditions
by investing in humidity-controlled storage rooms or professional 昀椀ne
art storage services. Trusted facilities such as Cadogan Tate Fine Art
Storage (www.cadogantate.com/昀椀ne-art-storage) and Momart Art Storage (www.momart.com/services/art-storage) o昀昀er secure, climate-controlled environments designed speci昀椀cally for valuable artworks.
Art Security: Protecting Your Investment
Protecting your collection goes beyond display and storage. Sophisticated alarm systems, 24/7 monitoring, and smart vaults are now commonplace among serious collectors. Smaller but valuable works, such as
jewellery or rare books, can be secured in specialist art safes.
Comprehensive art insurance is also essential, covering theft, accidental
damage, and transit risks. Firms such as Hiscox
(www.hiscox.co.uk/art-insurance) and AXA XL Art & Lifestyle
(www.axaxl.com/insurance/solutions/art) provide bespoke coverage for
private collections.
Preserving Digital Art and NFTs
As digital art and NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens) continue to gain
traction, collectors are embracing new modes of exhibition and storage.
Luxury digital frames such as those by In昀椀nite Objects
(www.in昀椀niteobjects.com) allow NFT artworks to be elegantly displayed
at home.
For storage, secure o昀툀ine cold vaults, often used for cryptocurrency, are
increasingly favoured for protecting digital assets. Blockchain authentication ensures ownership records are veri昀椀able and tamper-proof,
preserving provenance for the digital age.
Learn more about securing NFT collections at:
www.niftygateway.com/learn/how-to-store-nfts-safely.
Final Thoughts: Treating Your Collection Like a Museum
Collecting art is more than an aesthetic pursuit — it’s a commitment to
cultural preservation. Whether showcasing a masterpiece or carefully
storing a future auction highlight, the way you protect and present your
collection ensures it remains valuable and impactful for generations to
come.
By adopting museum-grade practices for exhibition, storage, and security, today’s collectors are not only safeguarding investments but also
stewarding the treasures of tomorrow.
By Lisa Curtiss
