LET THERE BE LIGHT (BUT SAFELY): HOW TO PROTECT YOUR ART COLLECTION FROM SUMMER SUN DAMAGE
Article:
Whether you’re in London or soaking up the sun in warmer climes as we enter into late summer, now is the perfect time to give your art collection a little extra attention. Natural daylight, while beautiful, can pose serious risks to artworks — especially over the long term.
Our expert team shares key tips to help you protect your pieces from harmful light exposure:
💡 Close the curtains – This simple step can make a big difference. When you’re not using a room or away from home, keep blinds or curtains drawn to limit UV and light exposure.
💡 Don’t rely solely on UV window film – While it helps, UV film doesn’t block heat or visible light, both of which can fade pigments and degrade materials over time. While UV causes 40% of fading, 25% is also caused by visible light and 25% by heat and sunlight is in ample supply of both, so even if you have managed to remove the UV, direct sunlight will case as much damage.
💡 Take extra care with works on paper – These are particularly vulnerable. Position them in shaded or lower-light areas of your home, away from windows and direct sources of light.
💡 No artwork should be exposed to direct sunlight – Ever. Works on paper should not be lit over 50 lux and oils should not be lit over 200lux. Daylight has as much as 10,000 lux and fading will occur very rapidly if directly exposed.
A little light goes a long way, but with art, less is often more. Protecting your collection now will help preserve its beauty for years to come.
Here are just some of the Italian paintings that we’ve had the pleasure of illuminating using our specialist art lighting products and strategies. The result is beautifully presented and well-preserved artworks displayed in their best light.
For more information or to enquire about your collection, please contact sales@tmlighting.com
Arundel Castle – Canaletto
Spencer House – Antonio Canova and Giovanni Antonio Pellegrini
Burghley House – Mattia Preti also called Il Cavalier Calabrese