art and sunlight damage

May 19, 2007 12:23 PM

I have a pencil (maybe charcoal?) sketch of Pompeii my mom drew, about 50 years ago. It's gorgeous. It's been tucked away because I'm afraid of light damaging the picture. Are there any specialty picture frames/glass coverings I can use to display her artwork, while minimizing fading or light damage?
posted by raztaj to home & garden (12 comments total)

Net exactly the same thing but perhaps a high res scanned and printed version in a normal frame?
posted by bitdamaged at 12:29 PM on May 19, 2007

I know there are some "art" spray sealants that you can get for charcoal drawings to prevent smudging, and I'm assuming fading. You could ask at your local art supply store and see what they say.
posted by LunaticFringe at 12:37 PM on May 19, 2007

Look for things that are acid-free (mount) and UV blocking (glass).

I would start looking through archival stores.
posted by i_am_a_Jedi at 12:37 PM on May 19, 2007

If you go to a decent framing shop and ask, you should get a reasonable answer. They seem to know what they're talking about, and I've heard this exact subject talked about at the place I go to.
posted by flaterik at 1:08 PM on May 19, 2007

I didn't think that either graphite or charcoal were subject to sun-fading.
posted by Steven C. Den Beste at 1:11 PM on May 19, 2007

Light Impressions sells archival products.

I addition to getting UV-blocking glass, you'll want an acid-free matting, so the drawing doesn't touch the glass.
posted by donajo at 1:56 PM on May 19, 2007

I didn't think that either graphite or charcoal were subject to sun-fading.

True, but the paper will yellow if it's not good quality.
posted by smackfu at 2:11 PM on May 19, 2007

Graphite and charcoal aren't affected by sun, but paper certainly is.

I agree with flaterik: go to a good framing shop and ask questions. Then if you want to do your own framing, you'll know what to use. If the piece needs to be attached to a backing, that should be done in an archival manner, possibly using paper hinges like those favored by stamp collectors; don't use conventional tape. Make sure to ask about UV plexi vs. UV glass. [I collect antique posters and use plexi because it's lighter; I don't know if glass offers equal sun protection.]

My family has some old drawings that weren't framed properly, and over the decades they've had some moisture and insect problems -- sun isn't the only enemy. If you live in a buggy or humid area, ask about sealing the mat package.

You might find this Library of Congress preservation info to be useful.
posted by wryly at 2:12 PM on May 19, 2007

It's about the paper. Charcoal won't fade, basically, ever -- that's just the color carbon is. It's your mom's paper that you want to be protecting from light, as it is susceptible to a spectrum of damage from discoloration to outright disintegration, depending on its composition and characteristics.

UV-coated glass and ph-neutral, "archival" matting are indeed what you are looking for. The crucial question is how light-fragile the result will remain. Some paper is tough as nails and can take a lot of light; other paper (especially the many varieties of newsprint that have the perfect texture to use with charcoal) is extremely vulnerable.

Nobody can advise you about this without some conservation knowledge and a good look at the real thing. I'd seek help from the conservation staff of an art museum. They may be available for consultation at members' events, or even a one-off consultation if you call and ask nicely. They won't be surprised -- art museums get asked provenance and conservation questions all the time, and it's good PR for them to be generous with their expertise.

An art gallery would be a good second choice -- probably even easier to approach (just show up with the drawing).
posted by gum at 2:24 PM on May 19, 2007

Years ago I worked in a framing shop and the advice here is spot on; UV glass, acid free mats, etc. If you decide to take it into a store, try to find a gallery that specializes in custom framing (not a U-Frame it place), custom framing is a bit more expensive, but it will probably be done by someone with a lot of experience in handling expensive prints and therefore be better suited to take care of your one-of-a-kind.

One way to tell is to actually look at the work they have framed in the gallery. Things like shadow boxes and complicated matt-work isn't easy, and it will probably be indicative that they employ someone who knows what they are doing.
posted by quin at 3:33 PM on May 19, 2007

I also vote for having a high-quality reproduction made and displaying that instead. It will be a load off your mind, you can frame it in any way you like, and if anything goes wrong and the displayed version does fade, it's just the copy.

(Saying this as someone who has seen original famous comic strip art hanging on a pal's wall ... it's all washed out and almost sepia-colored now, and it breaks my heart every time I see it.)
posted by cadge at 4:52 PM on May 19, 2007

This might be useful, from the Canadian Conservation Institute.
posted by Rumple at 8:42 PM on May 19, 2007