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Displaying Original Art on Paper: Six Steps to Limit Light and Moisture Damage

Protect drawings and watercolors at home by limiting light exposure, choosing preservation framing and planning safe storage.

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Wikimedia Commons · Photo: Gotogo / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0; artwork: Anders Zorn, Grandmother (1883), public domain; original photo unmodified. · Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (photograph; artwork public domain) ↗

Original art on paper may fade, yellow or become brittle after prolonged exposure to daylight and indoor lighting. The Library of Congress recommends proper storage and display of a reproduction rather than permanent exhibition of valuable originals. Consult a conservator for valuable or damaged works.

Your try-it-at-home checklist

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1. Identify originals: Determine whether the item is an original watercolor or drawing or a printed reproduction. A reproduction is preferable for long-term display of a treasured original.
2. Limit light: Keep it away from windows and strong lights and minimize display time. Even UV-filtering glazing cannot eliminate damage from visible light.
3. Select preservation framing: Do not attach ordinary tape or glue directly to the artwork. Ask a qualified framer for chemically stable mats, secure mounting and clearance from the glazing.
4. Avoid moisture and heat: Do not hang the piece in a humid bathroom or kitchen, above heating equipment or on a wall prone to condensation. Aim for stable indoor conditions.
5. Check hanging safety: Inspect frame hardware and secure heavy frames to suitable wall fixings. Do not attempt to dismantle or restore valuable original works yourself.
6. Rotate and store: Shorten display periods and store originals in preservation-grade materials away from light under stable conditions. Seek a conservator's advice for fading, mold or physical damage.

Library of CongressPreservation Guidelines for Matting and Framing ↗Explicitly warns that permanent display of original paper works causes irreversible light damage; recommends proper storage and reproduction display; chemically stable archival framing.Library of CongressLimiting Light Damage ↗Explains cumulative light damage to paper-based collections, including risks beyond UV and importance of reducing exposure.Wikimedia CommonsFile:Anders Zorn Grandmother (1883) with frame.jpg ↗Photographer Gotogo CC BY-SA 4.0; painting by Anders Zorn 1883 public domain. Image is illustrative, not proof of conservation-grade framing.Wikimedia CommonsCommons:Reusing content outside Wikimedia/technical ↗Source-level policy explicitly permits hotlinking direct Commons files. It does not waive the individual file's license and attribution.

Your try-it-at-home checklist

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