Preserving Artworks: Method and Continuity

Care, Management and Protection of Paintings, Prints and Photographs

The preservation of artworks is a central aspect of collection management. Environmental conditions, display, and the way works are handled have a direct impact on their integrity over time.

Proper conservation does not require invasive interventions, but rather attention, consistency and awareness. Many issues do not result from exceptional events, but from incorrect habits or neglected environmental conditions, which act slowly yet continuously.

Environmental Conditions

Temperature and Humidity

Climatic stability is one of the most relevant factors in the conservation of artworks. Frequent or sudden changes in temperature and humidity place stress on materials and, over time, may result in deformations, detachments or permanent alterations.

In general terms, a temperature between 18 and 21 °C and a stable relative humidity between 45 and 55% are considered appropriate.

Spaces subject to fluctuations — such as kitchens, bathrooms, cellars or attics — are not suitable for the conservation of artworks, even when they appear dry or well ventilated.

Light and Display

Light is a determining factor, particularly for works on paper and photographs. Damage caused by light exposure is progressive and irreversible.

Direct sunlight should be avoided, light levels should be kept low, and glass or acrylic glazing with UV filters should be used. Low-intensity LED lighting is generally preferable.

For more sensitive works, it is advisable to limit continuous exposure.

Handling a Graphic Work Correctly

The risks associated with improper handling are often underestimated. Movements, inspections, changes of location or reframing are common in the life of a collection, and it is precisely during these phases that avoidable damage may occur.

Paper is sensitive to pressure, bending and improper contact, even when the work appears to be in good condition.

Movement and Handling

Before any movement, the work should be protected evenly, avoiding bending, pressure and direct contact with the surface. Protection should involve not only the front and back, but also edges and corners, which are the areas most exposed to damage.

When a work is unframed, neutral, acid-free materials should be used to support and isolate it. During transport, the use of rigid supports helps keep the paper flat and reduces the risk of deformation.

For large or particularly fragile works, rigid and stable packaging is preferable. Preserving the original packaging, when available, is always a prudent choice.

Direct Contact

When it is necessary to touch a graphic work directly, hands must be clean and dry; the use of cotton or nitrile gloves is strongly recommended.

The work should always be held by the edges, avoiding any contact with the printed or drawn surface. Even minimal traces of grease or moisture can penetrate the paper and become visible over time.

Framing as Protection

Proper framing plays a significant role in protecting artworks, including during handling. The frame should accommodate the work without compression, allow adequate spacing from the glazing, and use stable, reversible materials.

Frames without front protection are generally to be avoided, as they expose the work to dust, impacts and environmental fluctuations.

Conservation by Type of Work

Paintings

Paintings on canvas or panel are particularly sensitive to environmental variations. It is advisable to keep them slightly distanced from the wall to allow air circulation and to avoid exposure to heat sources or draughts.

Cleaning should never be improvised: any intervention on the painted surface must be entrusted exclusively to qualified conservators.

Original Prints and Works on Paper

Paper is a sensitive material, subject to natural ageing. Stable environmental conditions and the use of appropriate materials can significantly slow down deterioration.

Works should never be permanently glued. Mounting systems must be reversible, so as not to compromise any future conservation interventions.

Artistic Photographs

Photographs, particularly colour prints or those produced using traditional processes, are among the most vulnerable works. They require cool, dry environments, certified archival materials and highly controlled light exposure.

Slightly lower temperatures than those used for other materials help preserve their long-term stability.

Biological Agents and Pollutants

Dust, mould, insects and airborne pollutants pose a concrete risk to all artworks.

Maintaining clean environments, avoiding smoke and chemical vapours, and periodically checking the condition of works are essential practices. Prevention remains the most effective approach.

Documentation and Professional Interventions

Proper documentation is part of responsible collection management. Photographing works under controlled conditions, preserving certificates of authenticity and provenance, and maintaining an up-to-date inventory allow their condition to be monitored over time.

In the presence of cracks, detachments, deformations, mould or visible alterations, it is essential to consult a qualified professional conservator. Improper interventions can permanently compromise a work.

The correct conservation of artworks does not depend on extraordinary measures, but on the set of attentions consistently applied over time. Environmental conditions, display choices and the way a collection is managed have a tangible impact on the condition of works, often more than one might expect.