Taking proper care of your fine art paintings and prints will ensure they stay in good condition, which will help protect their value in the long-term. In this post we’ll discuss some essential principles for caring for the fine art in your collection – from storing it, to transporting it, to insuring it.
We specialise in helping people protect the items which are valuable to them, whether that’s through a standard home insurance policy or a specialist high net worth insurance policy. For more information, call us on 0208 290 9086, or email personal@anthonyjones.com.
Where To Display Your Fine Art Paintings and Prints to Minimise Damage
Direct sunlight and moisture can cause a print or a painting’s colours to fade over time. So when hanging your fine art paintings and prints, try and do so in a place that’s cool, shady, and away from any sources of moisture (i.e. kitchens, bathrooms, radiators, kettles, humidifiers etc.)
You might also think about displaying your fine art away from your home’s windows. Windows are a source of sunlight and a further source of moisture, but they may also allow pollen into your home, which could damage your paintings and prints. Plus, if your fine art is visible through a window, then it may be visible to thieves.
Cleaning Your Fine Art Paintings and Prints
Regularly cleaning your fine art paintings and prints can prevent the accumulation of dust, which can damage works in the long-term.
Dust the frames, and if the art’s covered by glass, clean this carefully with a soft cloth and a dedicated glass cleaner. Use a microfibre cloth if you don’t want to risk using any chemicals on or near your fine art. Gentle soapy water and olive oil-based soap can be effective on oil and acrylic paintings.
If you’re concerned about damaging your fine art when cleaning it, consider hiring a professional restorer to do the job for you.
Storing Your Fine Art Paintings and Prints
For most people, fine art is an investment, meaning that it won’t necessarily be on display all year round. In any case, in areas with high humidity levels or extreme high or low temperatures, it’s best practice to keep fine art in storage when not in use.
To store your fine art paintings and prints, first wrap them in moisture-resistant and acid-free paper or plastic. Then place them in a sealable box or container. If you need to store multiple works in one container, avoid stacking them, as this could cause damage in time.
And to keep your works safe from thieves, as well as from dust, moisture and light, store them in a secure safe deposit box.
Transporting Your Fine Art Paintings and Prints
If you need to transport your fine art paintings and prints, you must account for any possible damage that might occur in transit. You should also be aware of the risks of losing items in transit. Before you transport your fine art, document its condition as thoroughly as you can. That way you’ll be able to identify any damage that might occur during the move.
To prepare a piece for transport, first wrap it in moisture-resistant and acid-free paper or plastic. Then apply a layer of bubble wrap and add frame corners to all four corners. Place the wrapped artwork in a solid box, and add cardboard or paper to either side to prevent the piece from moving during transportation.
For more, you can read our full guide to transporting fine art.
Insuring Your Fine Art Paintings and Prints
Get adequate insurance cover for your fine art paintings and prints. That way, if it’s ever damaged, lost, or stolen, either in your home or in transit, then you’ll be covered for any losses.
To get the right cover for your fine art, first you’ll need to get it valued. This will help you decide if a standard policy is right for your insurance needs. And if not, you’ll need to consider a specialist high net worth insurance policy.
Read our guide to valuing antiques for insurance for an introduction to the principles that will also apply to valuing your fine art for insurance purposes.
At Anthony Jones, we offer a bespoke service for high-net-worth individuals who need to protect their most valuable possessions – including their fine art paintings and prints. We understand that, beyond its cash value, your art collection has priceless personal and sentimental value. So we’ll take great care in not only arranging the cover you need, but in also providing risk management advice to give the best protection and ensure your collection stays out of harm’s way.
For more information, call us on 0208 290 9086, or email personal@anthonyjones.com.
