Care of the works

The Collector's Workshop: The Art of Conservation and its Custody

Acquiring a piece from The Collector's Workshop is much more than an economic transaction; it is the beginning of a shared commitment to the history and material memory of art. During the time that the works remain in our archive, they are treated with the rigor that their trajectory deserves. We understand valuation and diagnosis as an amalgamation of science, art, and historical study, which allows us to ensure that the conservation status of each piece is optimal before being cataloged. Our mission is to deliver a work whose patina is added value and a testament to authenticity, not a factor of deterioration.

As the new custodian of the work, your task is simply to continue this basic care that we have initiated in the Workshop. It is not necessary to transform 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 with the eye, but excessive light is its greatest agent of chemical fatigue. In the Workshop, we study each piece under controlled lighting conditions to avoid unnecessarily stressing pigments and supports.

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

  • Respectful artificial lighting: If you use directed spotlights, low-emission LED bulbs are the best option, as they do not emit residual heat and are much more respectful of the integrity of the pictorial layers and cellulosic supports such as paper or canvas.

 

Environment, Stability, and Structural Health Artworks are sensitive organisms that react to their immediate environment. In our systematic study process, pieces are stabilized to ensure that their structure is not at risk from environmental changes.

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

  • Ventilation and Humidity: A healthy environment for a person is usually also healthy for a painting. 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 history of the piece 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 that the work holds or alter its original authenticity.

  • Superficial and delicate maintenance: To remove accumulated dust, a soft silk duster or a natural hair brush is more than enough. Never use household cleaning products, damp cloths, or solvents, as they can damage the original varnish or penetrate the fibers of the work.

  • Conscious handling: Whenever you need to move or hang your artworks, make sure your hands are clean and dry, or use cotton gloves. Always hold the piece by the firm frame or stretcher, avoiding pressing 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, so each piece leaves our hands protected by technical packaging designed specifically for its format and fragility. This process guarantees that the rigor and passion we have invested during its custody in our archive remain intact until the work takes its new place of honor on your walls.