When hanging artwork, don't stop at a great frame and location - a picture light really helps shows off the piece. There are many different styles of artwork lighting fixtures, so when selecting a picture light try to match the style and finish of the light to the decor in the surrounding decor. Most artwork lighting fixtures are plug-in, which means the artwork would have to be hung near an outlet, but there are also battery operated picture lights.
Top Row:
- Dana & Steve's Sophisticated Small Space
- Robert Abbey - David Easton Meilleur Picture Light in Deep Patina Bronze: CSNLighting.com $334.40
- George Kovacs Chrome 27" Wide Plug-in Picture Light: Lamps Plus $80.99
- House of Troy 14" Wide Battery Powered Picture Light: Lamps Plus $112.99
- Classic Picture Lights #HP8: Light Bulbs Unlimted $95.95
Bottom Row:
- House of Troy Slim-Line Battery Operated Picture Light: CSNLighting.com $154
- House of Troy Advent #APH16: LightingDirect.com $102
- House of Troy - XL24 - Slim Line 24" Picture Light: CSNLighting.com $230
- House of Troy Library #PL16: Capitol Lighting $196
- Louve 18" Wide Satin Nickel Finish Plug-In Picture Light: Lamps Plus $74.99
Images: As credited above
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Maybe it's just me, but I've always considered picture lights to be tacky. They don't really do their job very well and detract from the art and framing.
For what it's worth - halogen light doesn't damage art - the bulb may heat up, but if not too close then it's fine. Other types of light either don't show true colors (halogen does due to it being a white light) and/or can damage certain colors/paints etc.
Talk to the person you're getting a light from and make sure it won't damage what you're lighting (sun does the worst of course!) - and get a few extra bulbs. Of course, check the price of the bulb before you buy too - as some bulbs are crazy expensive!
I wouldn't use these with anything other than inexpensive posters. Off-the-rack lights can be VERY damaging to art; conservators recommend special low-heat versions, which aren't necessarily cheap.
The problem isn't just that light fades works on paper. If a painting gets heated up, the canvas expands, then contracts when it cools again. After enough time, the paint will start flaking off.
Actually, now that I look more closely, some of these might be okay to use, but again, they're not necessarily cheap.
I'd feel guilty if the cost of the picture light cost more than the picture...and the frame!
Here's an option for $19.99 that I was looking into
http://www.improvementscatalog.com/product/cordless-picture-light.do
Thanks for mentioning LightingDirect.com in your post! We checked and the light you listed from us uses Halogens so should be safe to use as long as it does not heat up the artwork as stated above. We are very interested to learn more about this concern and will be doing some research on our own. Your comments are really appreciated!
- Mario from Build.com
Picture Lights are actually an excellent way to illuminate your artwork, mount one and see the differrence. Certainly there are less expensive models for inexpensive artwork, and there are higher end models for more valuable artwork. When I say higher end models, I mean those constructed of finer components; such as solid brass which is then oxidized and hand rubbed for a weathered or bronzed look. Also these models may use LED light, which contains no UV or infrared light, thus is of no harm to even the most valuable artwork. LED now comes in a variety of color outputs ranging from 2700K (similar to incandescent light) to 3500K (similar to halogen light output). Give us a call or email at House of Troy and we would be happy to answer questions and bust myths regarding hanging lights over artwork.