Expert: Tom Riddolls M.A.C. - 11/5/2011

Question
hi Tom - I have a small oil on canvas painting (9"x12") that was probably painted in about 1961. It is in the original wood frame without any glass or protection. I like it and would like to know what I can do to preserve it. There is no obvious deterioration that I can see, but I have it hung on the wall, and I'm concerned about maintaining it. Thank you for any help that you can offer.

regards,
rob

Answer
Hi Rob,

Besides physical damage your picture will likely be very stable for quite some time without much intervention.  Things to keep in mind - reduce the picture's contact with the physical world (don't wash it, move it around, keep having it reframed, etc.); hang it on an interior wall in a place that does not get a lot of temperature fluctuations or intense light (for example not above a furnace vent or next to a window that is kept open, etc.).

Some alterations to your framing such as glass front, foil sealed rabbet, with coroplast backing will keep out dust and help maintain a stable environment around the picture - it will also trap in any volatile chemicals still being emitted by the picture and this could be bad.  Glass and backing also protect against sharp things poking holes in the canvas.

Paintings are generally stable - it is the world around them that causes 90% of decay and so you must work to keep the environment clean and stable.

Tom