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About Sara Tro
Expertise
I am a professional custom picture framer and designer. I have experience in all areas of
picture framing, and own my own custom framing shop. I can answer questions relating
to the design of a piece, the preservation of the artwork, color theory, photograph
restoration, decor, art placement, room balancing and installation questions.
Experience
I have owned my own retail custom frame shop for 4 years, and managed a high-end shop before that for 5.5 years. I worked for a professional restorer and archivist for 8 months prior to the management position. I am also a fine artist myself, with a BFA in Photography and Printmaking, and have been framing my own work for years and years.
Education/Credentials
BFA Fine Arts, NYSCC at Alfred University, NY
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You are here: Experts > Arts/Humanities > Visual Arts > Picture Framing and Art Preservation > hanging picture above fireplace
Expert: Sara Tro
Date: 5/5/2008
Subject: hanging picture above fireplace
Question
Hi Sara,
I just inherited a picture that I would like to rest on the mantel of the fireplace. It is a wood burning fireplace that we use a few times a year. Would it be safe to put the picture on the mantel. I know a lot of decorators put pictures over the fireplace - just wondering what effect it would have on the picture.
Thank you.
Answer
Hi Jackie,
Thanks for the question!
Good thing to think about, as the fireplace mantel can be a risky place to place artwork.
If you only use the fireplace a few times a year, you'd be fine, I'm sure.
Where people run into trouble sometimes is when they hang a picture on the wall above the fireplace, and use the fireplace quite often. The heat that builds up in the wall behind the art, and the sudden temperature shift can often warp the artwork, and cause strange moisture issues to occur inside the frame package. If you're thinking of standing it on the mantel, or leaning it against the wall somehow, then I think you'd be fine. Just make sure that the art has some space for air to flow behind it, and the next time you light a fire in the fire place place your hand on the wall above the mantel after an hour or so and feel for hot spots.
If this is a valuable, antique piece of art, or something you want to keep in your family, I would move it to a spot on the mantel where the wall doesn't get hot when a fire is lit. Ideally, if it's valuable, you should hang it on a wall that is considered an "interior wall", (which means a hallway wall, or another wall whose opposite side doesn't face the outdoors). Temperature changes throughout the day and unavoidable moisture issues can influence the artwork if the outdoor side of the wall has severe sun/shade, or temperature fluctuations throughout each day.. If the art is sentimental, and you just want it to be enjoyed by your family for generations, just make sure it isn't getting socked by weird temperature changes.
Whatever your intentions with the art, or the value, make sure it has excellent quality materials and backing boards inside the frame package. Your local framer can help with this.. There should be room for air to circulate inside the frame, a mat with a window cut in it can help with this... At the least, there should be no acidic materials, like cardboard, inside the frame, and the glass should be UV protective.
Best of luck!
Hope this helps..
Sara
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