Tips on Protecting Your Valuable Art Collection from Heat and Humidity

For collectors of fine art, warm weather could mean trouble for your valuables. If you have an art collection, there are many preventative things you can do. In this article, we hope to offer some practical advice on some steps that you can take to potentially help prevent common types of damage to your collection, such as surface distortions or paint flaking.

Monitoring the Temperature and Humidity of Your Art Collection 

When it comes to preserving your art, temperature and humidity levels are critical. In humid conditions, canvas can become loose. When the air is dry, the canvas can tighten. Fluctuations between the two can eventually cause the canvas to sag, which then can require re-stretching.

The optimal temperature and humidity to store your art collection can vary based on the type of media. Works on paper, oil paintings, sculptures, and acrylic paintings will all behave differently when subjected to the same conditions. It is important to keep the conditions stable.

• If your art is prominently displayed in your home, keep the temperature and humidity as constant as possible.
• Don’t turn off the air conditioning before leaving your home, even for a short weekend getaway.
• Consider the installation of a compact digital thermo-hygrometer so that both temperature and humidity are consistently being monitored.

How Moisture and Humidity Can Affect Paintings and Art 

Rising humidity can threaten your art collection in multiple ways. Humidity can cause mold to grow on a canvas. If a varnished painting is kept in damp conditions, blooming can occur, which causes cloudy areas on the top of the painting. Controlling the range of humidity your artworks are kept in is vital to preventing damage. You may consider using an air conditioner in the summer months and a humidifier in the winter months.

Tips to Prevent Fading and Color Damage 

• When a room is not in use, draw the blinds, curtains or shades.
• Create a cool and dark environment; turn off the lights whenever possible.
• Put UV filters on windows.
• Regularly rotate your collection.
• Minimize outside airflow
• Hang art in locations that are out of the way of ventilation, doors & windows.

Where to Store Your Art Collection 

While your basement and attic may have the most space for your art collection storage, they may not be the best choice. Both are subject to extreme temperature and humidity fluctuations, floods and leaks. Instead, consider a space within your home where you can better control the temperature and humidity and which is less prone to leaking or flooding.

Preventing Water Damage to Paintings 

It is no secret that water damage could ruin a piece of art. Luckily, there are several precautions you can take to help reduce the risk of it happening to you.

• Use caution when hanging art in areas beneath ceiling trays, washers, dryers and / or radiators.
• Install water alert sensors that will inform you if you have a leak.
• When hanging paintings, be sure they are raised at least 6 – 12” off the floor.

Appropriate Insurance for Your Art Collection 

If you have an art collection, or are considering starting a collection, review your insurance coverage to be sure it covers your treasured assets. You may be surprised to find your collection is not covered under your standard homeowner’s policy. If you have any questions regarding coverage options for your collection, please reach out to one of our local offices. At Cross Private Client Insurance, we can help you protect high value items with a valuables policy.

Creating an Inventory of Your Fine Art Collection 

Taking an inventory of your fine art is a vital part of the process of insuring your collection. As a collector, you may have a large number of pieces in your collection, and if you share your collection with galleries and museums it is easy to lose track of them all. An inventory can help you catalogue your collection and serve as valuable documentation for both you and the insurance company. Having a documented inventory is helpful in the event of a large-scale loss. The inventory will provide your insurance carrier with an accurate list of items that were damaged. The following tips can be used to help you take your inventory.

One of the most important steps of taking an inventory is fully documenting your collection, which means taking pictures and videos of your art. When doing so, be mindful of your art, as pieces can be very delicate and certain lighting or flashes could cause damage to your collection.

Including details such as artist, title or name, age, condition, purchase date, purchase price, and other important information of your art is highly recommended.

A digital list such as spreadsheet with the entirety of your belongings can help organize what you have.

Update your inventory list yearly and after substantial purchases.

Moving Your Art Collection 

If you need to transport your art collection to a different address, consider hiring a company that has experience transporting art.

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This article is for general informational purposes only and is not to be relied upon or used for any particular purpose. Cross Insurance shall not be held responsible in any way for, and specifically disclaims any liability arising out of or in any way connected to, reliance on or use of any of the information contained in this article. The information contained or referenced in this article is not intended to constitute and should not be considered legal, insurance, accounting or other professional advice, nor shall it serve as a substitute for the recipient obtaining such advice. The views expressed in this article are that of its author and do not necessarily represent the views of Cross Financial Corp. and its subsidiaries and affiliates (“Cross Insurance”) or Cross Insurance’s management or shareholders.