How to illuminate paintings: ideas and recommended products

The importance of correct picture lighting

The lighting of paintings is not only a question of aesthetics, but also of preserving and enhancing the work itself. Museums all over the world devote much attention to the lighting of their collections, aware of the impact on the perception and preservation of works of art. A striking example is the Louvre in Paris, where carefully designed lighting highlights every detail of the masterpieces on display, allowing visitors to fully immerse themselves in the art.

Fundamentals of picture lighting

There are several basic principles to consider when lighting a picture, first and foremost the positioning of the lights. The correct arrangement of light sources is crucial to achieve even illumination free of unwanted shadows. 

Lights should be placed in such a way as to illuminate the picture from all angles, thus ensuring that every detail is visible clearly and sharply. As a rule, it is always advisable to use a direct light stream inclined by 30° in order to avoid unwanted reflections, but much depends on the size of the room and the distance between the light stream and the picture.

With this in mind, we at Amlux have a number of LED profilers with different optics designed for paintings and works of art, among which is the elegant and functional Kit Compact LED Profiler Kit 3100K with 26° optics. This product, with an elegant black casing, is perfect for installation in museums, showrooms and commercial areas.

In addition to the positioning of the lights, another key point is the choice of colour temperature, as this has a significant impact on the overall appearance of the painting. 

In this respect, however, one must first assess the colours of the picture to be illuminated: if cool colours prevail within it, then it is appropriate to use lights from 4000K upwards, an example is the Kit compact led profile 6000K with 26° optics. Conversely, if warm colours prevail within the painting, such as yellow, orange or red, then lights around 3000K should be used, in this case, the already mentioned Kit track mounted compact led profile 3100K with 26° optics, in white or black version, can be useful.

In addition to positioning and lighting temperature, it is also important to consider the colour rendering of the lights used. It is recommended to opt for lights with a high colour rendering index (CRI above 90) to ensure the colour fidelity of the artwork and preserve its visual integrity.

Maintaining the original style and colours of the work is essential to ensure an authentic and satisfying viewing experience for viewers. Again, the Amlux product catalogue features LED profilers with a CRI index higher than 92, such as the aforementioned Kit compact led profile 3100K with 26° optics.

Extra precautions for lighting antique paintings

When it comes to lighting old paintings, the primary need is to preserve the integrity of the work itself. Generally, these masterpieces have been painted with ancient techniques and on delicate substrates, and can therefore suffer irreparable damage if exposed to too intense lighting. Therefore, in addition to the principles already mentioned, it is of vital importance to equip oneself with specially designed lighting devices.

Of these, halogen shapers with UV filters emerge as the optimal choice. These devices are in fact equipped with filters that inhibit the heating and degradation of the colours used in the artwork. Here again, we at Amlux are not unprepared, as we have a wide choice of products with different colour temperatures.

Conclusions and the role of Amlux

In conclusion, the lighting of paintings is not only a question of aesthetics, but plays a fundamental role in the preservation and enhancement of the work of art itself. Museums all over the world demonstrate this by devoting much attention to the lighting design of their collections, aware of the significant impact it has on the perception and conservation of works of art.

Investing in quality lighting is an essential step to ensure that every work of art can be admired and appreciated in its full splendour, be it a modern masterpiece or a precious antique painting. 

In this context, we at Amlux are a leading supplier of lighting products for paintings and works of art. Contact us now for more information and let us advise you on the most suitable product for your needs!