Exposure to light can cause colours to fade, alter the appearance of materials and contribute to the deterioration of oil paintings, paper, textiles and other sensitive materials.

Light damage is cumulative and irreversible. Once fading or other light-related deterioration has occurred, reducing the artwork’s future exposure will prevent further damage but will not restore its original appearance.

For private collectors, the challenge is finding an appropriate balance between protecting an artwork and enjoying it. Understanding how light affects different materials can help inform decisions about where and how artworks are displayed.

How light damages artwork

Light provides energy that can trigger chemical changes in materials. Depending on the materials used, this can result in fading, colour change, yellowing, embrittlement or other forms of deterioration.

Both natural and artificial light can contribute to light damage:

• Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is particularly damaging
• Visible light can also cause fading

Removing UV exposure therefore does not eliminate the risk of light damage.

Different materials have different light sensitivities

Not all artworks need the same level of protection.

The sensitivity of an artwork depends on the materials and techniques used and different colours within the same artwork can have different levels of light sensitivity.

Material considered highly light-sensitive include:

• Works on paper
• Watercolours
• Photographs
• Textiles  

Oil paintings and other objects made with relatively stable pigments may tolerate greater levels of light exposure, although this varies between individual artworks.

What can help to protect your artwork?

Choosing the right location

The location of an artwork can have a significant effect on its exposure to light.

Avoid direct sunlight, particularly near large windows or glass doors. Sunlight can provide very high levels of illumination and prolonged exposure can accelerate fading and other deterioration.

Consider  how sunlight moves throughout the day and at different times of the year. A wall that appears relatively shaded in the morning may receive direct sunlight later in the day.

Avoid locations near radiators fireplaces and other sources of heat, as well as areas subject to high humidity or significant fluctuations in temperature and humidity.

Curtains and blinds

Curtains, blinds and shutters can reduce the amount of daylight reaching an artwork. Closing them during periods of strong sunlight can significantly reduce exposure.

UV-filtering window films can provide additional protection where large windows or glass doors create a significant source of UV exposure.

Window treatments should be considered as part of an overall approach to light management.

UV protection and glazing

Specialist glazing can reduce exposure to ultraviolet radiation and is particularly useful for sensitive materials such as works on paper, photographs and textiles.

Glazing does not prevent fading entirely, however and should form a part of an artworks protection.

For valuable or particularly light-sensitive works, a conservator can advise on suitable glazing and framing options.

Managing artificial lighting

Artificial lighting can also contribute to light damage.

The risk depends on the intensity and duration of exposure - a strong spotlight positioned close to an artwork will mean a greater exposure than lower level ambient lighting.

LED lighting is generally suitable for displaying artworks because it produces little heat and can be selected with low or negligible UV output.

A good option is to switch off display lighting when a room is not in use.

Rotating light sensitive artworks

Rotating artworks can be an effective way of managing light exposure.

Highly light sensitive works can be displayed for a limited period and then returned to storage while another work is displayed.

Practical ways to reduce light damage

Several relatively simple measures can reduce an artwork’s exposure to light:

• Keep artworks away from direct sunlight
• Consider the changing position of sunlight throughout the day and year
• Use curtains, blinds or shutters to reduce strong daylight
• Consider UV-filtering window films where appropriate
• Use suitable glazing, particularly for works on paper, photographs and other sensitive materials
• Avoid strong spotlights positioned close to artworks
• Switch display lighting off when it is not required
• Rotate particularly light-sensitive artworks rather than displaying them continuously
• Seek professional advice for particularly valuable, fragile or light-sensitive works

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Light management is an important part of caring for an artwork. The objective is not to prevent artworks from being displayed, but to manage their exposure so that they can be enjoyed while unnecessary deterioration is minimised.

For artworks of particular value or significance, a conservator can assess the materials and condition of the work and recommend appropriate display, framing, lighting and storage conditions.

Click here for a downloadable PDF checklist of practical ways to reduce light damage.