Collections Care: 2D Art - Prints, Drawings & Paintings

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Local History Toolkits

Humans have been drawing and painting images for at least 40,000 years, the oldest of which can still be found in caves in Indonesia, France, and Spain. Early drawing and painting pigments came from minerals and clays, such as charcoal, ochres, and hematite. For paints, the pigments would be ground and mixed with a liquid binder like saliva, resin, egg yolks, milk, or, later, oils. Water-based acrylics were not available until the 20th century.

Prints and drawings are usually created on paper and so are very susceptible to the typical deterioration mechanisms that affect other paper artifacts, such as historical documents. The substrate used for paintings, however, can vary widely, and may include paper, canvas, wood, metal, and glass, all of which may complicate a particular painting’s preservation needs. All types though are vulnerable to physical damage, light exposure, moisture, and general soiling.

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General Tips & Techniques

As with any museum or personal collection, appropriate handling techniques and storage are the first line of defense in their preservation. General tips include:

  • Keeping art out of direct light and handling pieces with clean cotton or powder-free nitrile gloves
  • Inspecting for loose paint and pigments and adjust handling and storage needs as appropriate
  • Carrying small paintings with two hands
  • Moving large pieces with at least two people
  • General good housekeeping in storage and exhibition areas

For additional information on caring for paper-based art, see also β€œCaring for Your Collection: Works on Paper.”

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Prints & Drawings

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Paintings

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Framed Art

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