Care of the works

The Collector's Workshop: the art of conservation and stewardship

Caring for an artwork means considering its materials, condition and display environment. This guide from El Taller del Coleccionista brings together everyday care tips to reduce risks associated with light, humidity, cleaning and handling.

As the new custodian of the work, your role is simply to continue this basic care that we have initiated at the Workshop. It is not necessary to turn your home into a museum with extreme climatic conditions; it is enough to apply common sense and follow these essential guidelines so that the piece endures in the best conditions for future generations:

 

The ideal location: light, shadows, and chromatic balance

Art is enjoyed through the eyes, but excessive light is its greatest agent of chemical fatigue. At the Workshop, we study each piece under controlled lighting conditions to avoid unnecessarily stressing the pigments and supports.

  • Avoid direct sunlight: It is not necessary to live in shadows, but try to ensure that the sun's rays do not strike the work directly during peak hours of radiation, as this can cause the oxidation of varnishes and the loss of color intensity.

  • Respectful artificial lighting: Use quality, low-intensity LED lighting, avoiding spotlights too close to the work. LED lamps generate less heat than incandescent ones, but it is also advisable to limit intensity and exposure time, especially for works on paper and light-sensitive materials.

 

Environment, stability, and structural health

Works of art are sensitive organisms that react to their immediate surroundings. In our systematic study process, the pieces are stabilized to ensure that their structure is not at risk from environmental changes.

  • Beware of heat and climate control sources: Try not to place important pieces in the direct path of radiators, fireplaces, or air conditioning vents. Sudden temperature changes cause expansion and contraction movements that can lead to cracks or paint flaking.

  • Ventilation and Humidity: An environment that is healthy for a person is usually healthy for a painting as well. The key is environmental stability; try to keep the work in a dry and well-ventilated place, avoiding walls that can transmit humidity to the stretcher or support.

 

Cleaning and maintenance: respect for the piece's history

One of the most satisfying and meticulous tasks in our Workshop is the technical cleaning of the pieces we rescue. We always prioritize reversibility and minimal intervention so as not to erase the history the work holds or alter its original authenticity.

  • Delicate surface maintenance: Avoid cleaning the paint surface directly with feather dusters, damp cloths, household cleaning products, or solvents. If the work requires cleaning, consult a conservator-restorer to assess its materials and state before intervening. For pieces protected by glass, clean only the exterior of the glass, avoiding letting liquid reach the frame or penetrate the interior.

  • Conscious handling: Whenever you need to move or hang your works, ensure your hands are clean and dry, or use cotton gloves. Always hold the piece by the sturdy frame or the stretcher, avoiding pressure on the surface of the paint, paper, or gilded areas, which can be extremely fragile to the touch.

 

Our commitment to protection until it reaches your home

The care we dedicate in the Workshop does not end with research and documentary cataloging. We understand that transport is a critical moment, which is why each piece leaves our hands protected by technical packaging designed specifically for its format and fragility. This process ensures that the rigor and passion we have invested during its stewardship in our archive remain intact until the work occupies its new place of honor on your walls.