At first glance, managing an art collection might not seem like a difficult task. But is putting all your belongings in a storage room and turning the key in the lock everything there is to it? The truth is that art storage and management represent a rather broad area of knowledge, with many rules and just as many exceptions. Today, we will discuss some of the most commonly overlooked pitfalls you should learn to avoid.
Art Storage and Management: Three Most Commonly Overlooked Pitfalls
Ignoring the basic principles of art storage
Usually, professional museum storage is a climate-controlled space that is separated into several sections. Each storage section is specifically designed to cater to the needs of different types of art. A system like this is difficult to achieve in at-home art storage, but the basic principles of art storage should always apply. A rule you can easily follow is that the less pressure you put on your pieces, the better. For example, you can store heavy framed paintings upright and separate them with thick cardboard. In addition, never leave your art on the floor or leaning on walls, as that can introduce excessive moisture.
Sending art to storage in poor condition
Before storing artwork at home or sending it to a storage facility, you must always check its condition. Make sure that your pieces are in good shape, clean, and have no signs of aging that can be damaging in the long run. You can enlist the help of an expert art conservator to professionally assess your collection’s condition.
Not getting your art collection insured
When storing valuable objects, you need to make sure they are protected against accidents. There is little possibility of something harming your art in a specialized art storage unit, but it is better to be prepared. Not only could opting out of art insurance cost you the entire collection, but you would also be forced to restore the damage on your own, with no compensation.
Perfecting the craft of art storage and management takes time, so do not worry if you found some of your mistakes reflected in this blog post. Start making steps in the right direction as soon as possible, and you will become a pro at managing your precious art collection in no time.