kim

January 15th, 2007, 03:58 PM

I was hoping someone could tell me about hanging art above a fireplace. You see it all the time, but does the heat affect it? Do you have to do anything to protect it? I have a piece of a lion done in soft pastels that I would like to hang above my fireplace, but I don't want to damage it. Can anyone give me any information about protecting and preserving art pieces?

January 15th, 2007, 04:28 PM

Greetings,

It is recommended that you NOT hang artwork above a fire place.

http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/dc_frames_o...100224,00.html
Avoid placing art above a fireplace; soot, heat and dryness can damage art. If you must put a painting above a fireplace, place an insulating sheet of plywood behind it to protect it from chimney heat

http://aic.stanford.edu/library/onli...res/paint.html
Although a fireplace is often a focal spot for a room, a painting displayed above a mantel will be exposed to soot, heat, and environmental extremes. Hanging paintings above heating and air conditioning vents or in bathrooms with tubs or showers is also inadvisable because the rapid environmental fluctuations will be harmful. Select a safe place away from high traffic and seating areas.

http://www.preservation.gc.ca/howto/...painting_e.asp
The space above a fireplace is normally a display place of honour, but it is not the best choice. The environment at the chimney can fluctuate. It can become hot, very dry from the heat and somewhat sooty as a result of using
the fireplace.

http://dlis.dos.state.fl.us/barm/pre...ting/mat3.html
If the fireplace is used at all, the smoke, soot and ashes can do a lot of damage to anything stored above it, including any knickknacks that might be displayed on the mantel. Damage is also caused by the heat of the fire and by the changes in temperature caused by lighting a fire and then allowing it to go out. If the fireplace is never used, the chimney can still be considered an outside wall unless it is bricked up.

Many more sites advise not to hang above a fireplace.

Hope this helps.

Judy Decker

John · January 15th, 2007, 10:57 PM

Great research, Judy. I'd just like to add that works on paper are extremely vulnerable to damage, even from ambient light. Framing the work under glass will help to protect the work from oxygen and UV light in particular. Make sure the work is not hung where it gets direct sunlight.

Here's another page with many specific recommendations re framing and hanging art, with special reference to pastel drawings:
http://www.benfieldgallery.com/customframing.html

January 15th, 2007, 03:58 PM	#1
Unregistered Posts: n/a	kim I was hoping someone could tell me about hanging art above a fireplace. You see it all the time, but does the heat affect it? Do you have to do anything to protect it? I have a piece of a lion done in soft pastels that I would like to hang above my fireplace, but I don't want to damage it. Can anyone give me any information about protecting and preserving art pieces?

January 15th, 2007, 04:28 PM	#2
Unregistered Posts: n/a	Avoid hanging art above fireplace Greetings, It is recommended that you NOT hang artwork above a fire place. http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/dc_frames_o...100224,00.html Avoid placing art above a fireplace; soot, heat and dryness can damage art. If you must put a painting above a fireplace, place an insulating sheet of plywood behind it to protect it from chimney heat http://aic.stanford.edu/library/onli...res/paint.html Although a fireplace is often a focal spot for a room, a painting displayed above a mantel will be exposed to soot, heat, and environmental extremes. Hanging paintings above heating and air conditioning vents or in bathrooms with tubs or showers is also inadvisable because the rapid environmental fluctuations will be harmful. Select a safe place away from high traffic and seating areas. http://www.preservation.gc.ca/howto/...painting_e.asp The space above a fireplace is normally a display place of honour, but it is not the best choice. The environment at the chimney can fluctuate. It can become hot, very dry from the heat and somewhat sooty as a result of using the fireplace. http://dlis.dos.state.fl.us/barm/pre...ting/mat3.html If the fireplace is used at all, the smoke, soot and ashes can do a lot of damage to anything stored above it, including any knickknacks that might be displayed on the mantel. Damage is also caused by the heat of the fire and by the changes in temperature caused by lighting a fire and then allowing it to go out. If the fireplace is never used, the chimney can still be considered an outside wall unless it is bricked up. Many more sites advise not to hang above a fireplace. Hope this helps. Judy Decker

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January 15th, 2007, 10:57 PM	#3
John John Malyon, host Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 182	Great research, Judy. I'd just like to add that works on paper are extremely vulnerable to damage, even from ambient light. Framing the work under glass will help to protect the work from oxygen and UV light in particular. Make sure the work is not hung where it gets direct sunlight. Here's another page with many specific recommendations re framing and hanging art, with special reference to pastel drawings: http://www.benfieldgallery.com/customframing.html