Museums, Antiques and Art Galleries
Humidification for museums
Humidifying Museums
Adequate stabilization of the environment is essential to preserve art work over time. If canvasses were to constantly change dimensions the damage caused could be irreversible. In addition works made on parchment or from wood could begin to deteriorate in a short period of time if the environment is too dry.
Problems related to the hygroscopic properties of wood are accentuated in the case of antiques or valuable furniture. Inadequate control of humidity causes the wood to crack, detachment of the joints in the furniture and separation of decorations, in the case of paintings, the paint may peel.
The surrounding environment should be kept between 18 and 20 ºC with 45-50% relative humidity for optimal preservation. It is also essential to maintain stable conditions, which means that the recommended range should be maintained 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
The effects of dry air on museum exhibits:
Ceramics, Pottery and Stone - The internal mineral content of these materials will change in wet or dry conditions. Salts which are in these materials rise to the surface when wet and then crystallize when dry. This can lead to staining and flaking.
Paintings - Paintings are made up from several layers and each individual layer reacts to moisture loss in a different way. This can cause the painting to blister and the paint to flake off. Paintings on canvas are considered less susceptible to gradual long-term fluctuations, but rapid fluctuations may damage the canvas or paint layer.
Woods - The extent of damage sustained will depend on how the wood was primarily seasoned. Mature woods that are not dried out by modern techniques have a moisture content of around 12 to 15%. If the woods are stored in environments with central heating it can cause cracking and movement in the joints. More severe damage will be caused to veneered surfaces. Warping can also occur when the external layer loses moisture whilst internal layers do not, causing them to detach themselves or become loose.
Preserving art work, humidifyng museums and galleries is essential and requires specialist attention.
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