Storing art: what you should look out for
Art storage: tips for the safe storage of artworks
Few places in the world embody art and culture as profoundly as Vienna, the Austrian capital. This city was once home to legends like Schiele, Beethoven, and Klimt, whose influence is still evident in its architecture and societal values. Today, Vienna’s streets are adorned with countless museums, galleries, and art stores, drawing millions of tourists annually. This vibrant artistic environment not only preserves the city’s rich heritage but also nurtures a deep love for art among its residents. Learn in this article how storing art is done right.
Trend and investment: collecting art
So it’s no wonder that collecting works of art of all kinds is part and parcel of life for many Viennese. Whether it’s to enhance the style of their own four walls or as a long-term investment for grandchildren and for a rainy day.
Store paintings: Safe storage with self-storage
It can be easy to accumulate more paintings, busts and other artifacts than the available living space allows. If you don’t want to part with your treasures forever, especially if they are intended as an investment, it makes sense to store them off-site.
Self-storage providers such as STORE ROOM offer the perfect space for this. However, as there are a few things to bear in mind when storing art, we would like to explain the most important things in the following lines.
Storage of artworks
Here is an overview of the most important aspects of art storage:
- Room temperature of the storage room of about 20 degrees Celsius and a humidity of 40-60%
- Avoid exposure to sunlight, natural light is less problematic
- Leave paintings in their frames during storage
- Air-permeable packaging such as wooden crates and polystyrene frames are ideal
The right indoor climate
The room climate is undoubtedly the most critical factor when storing works of art. This is particularly true for oil paintings, which are highly sensitive to environmental conditions and prone to issues like mold or material cracks. Ideal storage conditions include temperatures around 20°C and humidity levels between 40-60%, similar to those maintained in museums. Storing artwork in basements or attics is generally inadvisable, as higher humidity levels in such spaces can quickly turn a valuable antique painting into a disposable relic.
UV light damages paintings
Besides extreme temperatures and humidity, sunlight poses the greatest threat to many art objects. Photochemical reactions caused by direct sunlight can alter color pigments and cause undesirable expansion of materials. Artificial light, by contrast, is less damaging and can even support preservation if used intermittently. However, darkened storage compartments remain the ideal solution for ensuring the longevity of valuable art pieces.
Wrapping the artwork correctly
For longer storage periods, good packaging of the objects is of course of the utmost importance. Bubble wrap or blankets are well suited for busts, statues and the like.
Paintings are a bit more challenging to store, as the materials used are often more sensitive to environmental conditions. It’s important to keep the canvas in its frame during storage, as rolling it up can cause significant damage to the paint layer. The best option is to store the painting along with its supporting frame in a wooden crate, securing it inside with polystyrene or cardboard. Ensure that the crate is not completely airtight, allowing some air circulation. This prevents condensation from forming, which can lead to mold growth.
As you can see, storing works of art is not rocket science. However, there are some essential factors to keep in mind to ensure your painting remains in excellent condition, whether for personal enjoyment or future sale. We hope this article has provided valuable insights into protecting your artworks and selecting the perfect art storage unit. If you have any additional questions about storing your art treasures, we are always here to assist you!