Famous for his ability to paint the subtle nuances, Rembrandt offers paintings, like his Self Portrait, with a unique, luminescent quality.  

This oil on canvas painting is shown in natural light. This work of art was painted by Pennsylvania artist, David Graeme Baker.

This oil on canvas painting is shown in typical room lit with incandescent light.

What is art lighting?
What type of light should I use to light my artwork?
How do incandescent lights affect art?
Fluorescent lights, are they good for art?
Have halogen lights been accepted as a viable source for lighting art?
What should I remember?
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What is art lighting?

For many artists, art and light are synonymous. For instance, Rembrandt's paintings are famous for their luminosity. Just consider any of the portraits by the Dutch master on view at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City or any of a number of important museum collections worldwide. While Rembrandts look pretty good in any light, there are certain methods to properly lighting your masterpiece. While the MET's Rembrandts seemingly glow of their own accord, they do employ the aid of various light sources. In short, lighting is critical when coupled with fine art and even a slight difference in direction or type (fluorescent, incandescent, halogen, natural, etc.) can make all the difference. Like anything else, art lighting is a compromise and requires some expert advice.

What type of light should I use to light my artwork?

I know what you are thinking, this art stuff isn't so hard. The answer is simple, natural light, right? Most artists are trained in art schools flooded with natural light, so the answer is natural light. Many people believe that sunlight is the best type of light for art and it would follow that art looks best in natural light. True?

Sorry, but no. There is no simple answer here, this is art, remember. Art's not easy. Anyway, natural light is hard to control in general terms. It causes a big problem for art, particularly, paintings and works on paper. The infrared and ultraviolet (UV) rays of natural sunlight can damage works of art. UV rays are so harmful that it can, over time, fade works on paper especially pastels, prints, photographs, and watercolors. Also, textiles will fade in sunlight in a matter of only a few short months. That means your notion to redecorate in the "cozy, country style" and hang your great Grandma's colorful crazy quilt on the wall that faces that big picture window in your sunroom is definitely a bad idea. I discuss the topic of art framing and glass options in another Art Advice column. So, in short, natural light isn't the easy answer.

How do incandescent lights affect art?

Incandescents have their good and bad points. They bring out the warm colors within the color spectrum such as the red, brown, orange, and yellow tones. You can probably notice how this painting by David Baker  enhances the reds and pinks over other colors. But if you have a seascape composed with blues and greens (i.e., the cool colors), then an incandescent light won't bring out all of those cool colors. The blues, greens, and violets within your works of art will be flattened out by incandescent lights. So, these lights are better than natural or fluorescence but are not the entire solution to the lighting problem. Complicated, isn't it?!

Fluorescent lights, are they good for art?

Fluorescent lights aren't the easy answer either. Museums and galleries don't use the fluorescent bulbs as a common practice because they give off a high amount of UV rays which are harmful. In addition, fluorescent lights do not emit light across the entire spectrum of colors and this is problematic.

Have halogen lights been accepted as a viable source for lighting art?

Although museum professionals have not "blessed" the halogen light because of the  strong white light that it emits, halogens are among the best lighting solutions if installed properly. A low watt halogen light may prove to be a very good lighting solution and in our example using the Baker painting, the subtleties come through with a halogen light. A low watt halogen-based bulb has been recently introduced which redirects damaging UV and infrared rays of light. Once again, the use of a halogen light at low wattage may prove best for most works of art.

What should I remember?

In short, as a museum curator and art historian, I do not keep works on display for long periods of time since all light (natural and artificial) is damaging to works of art and antiques and as a result will devalue your pieces over time. Thus, I do not recommend direct lighting systems and I never recommend that any direct light be placed at any angle on artwork or antiques.

A compromise is necessary when lighting art. This doesn't mean go out and purchase all different types of art lighting, just light your pieces wisely. Try to avoid the UV and infrared rays from directly hanging works of art in sunlight. Don't shine a bright light of any kind directly onto artwork, especially works on paper. Remember, photographs and works on paper are most fragile.

Natural light (Sunlight) -- art looks great but some art will deteriorate in this light.

Fluorescent -- Not recommended for art in most cases.

Incandescent -- Great for warm colors but not recommended for cool colors.

Halogen -- A combination of halogen lighting and incandescent may be most suitable for the widest range of art lighting situations. Museum professionals have not yet accepted that halogens are completely non-damaging to works of art.

I hope this column answers some of your lighting questions. I will supplement this discussion of art lighting with some additional information about displaying art in your home, gallery, and office in the future. Feel free to contact me with any questions or comments.

Dr. Lori
Director, Masterpiece Technologies Inc.