Chinese Tempra Paintings

[sharonm]

This may seem like a silly question, but I told my customer I'd research this because I started to doubt my knowledge when she asked...My customer brought back 6 tempra paintings on paper from China, and asked about not glazing them. I told her since we are in New York City, and matting these items, I'd recommend putting something over these to protect them, whether it be CC clear glass or plexi. She thought she heard they shouldn't be covered with anything, but will put the glazing on if I suggest it. So, I'm tossing the silly question out there (since I couldn't find anything in the archives): should we use a form of glazing on these? My instinct is telling me yes...

Thanks in advance to all who reply!

Sharon

 

[Framing Goddess]

Tempera on anything...

Anything on paper...

Two good reasons to glaze.

Ask your customer to imagine a two year old flinging a gooey fistfull of chefboyardee spaghetti and having it land on the painting. Wouldn't she rather it land on the glass?

These are the Chinese 'peasant paintings?' I have framed many of these and they look fabulous (and will continue to look it) behind glass.

There, you asked.

edie glasshappy goddess

 

[Baer Charlton]

Ditto Edie.... except the Chief Boy Hardly

This is a New Yorker, who's been to China, who has taste in art, who takes said art to a custom picture framer and asks their opinion.

This woman:

1) Doesn't serve Chief out of the can

2) Has no 2 year old, except the poodle.

 

[Jim Miller]

Ask me how I really feel about this.

1. Glazing is beneficial for almost anything to be framed.
2. Glazing does no harm.
3. There is no reason not to recommend glazing.

The one caveat, of course, is that the fitting must be done properly, with an air space between the glazing and the art. But it seems unnecessary to say that, because everything else in framing depends on proper fitting, too.

"Visual perfection" is the excuse most commonly given for omitting glazing, by the dozens of artists, framers, owners, conservators, and museum curators I have purposely interviewed on the question of glazing. Generally, these otherwise framing-knowledgeable people have not seen anti-reflection glazing in proper lighting. Indeed, in proper lighting, they would not see it. Omitting glazing on this basis can not be reasoned, so I say it qualifies only as an excuse.

Cost is the second-most common excuse to omit glazing, given mostly by owners and retail framers. This excuse could just as well be given for omitting proper hanging hardware, solid backing and a dustcover. There is always another way to reduce cost, right? Like visual perfection, cost is an excuse, but not a reason, to omit glazing.

If anyone would care to rekindle this debate, let's start by reviewing the archives.

Meanwhile, Sharonm, glaze it.

 

[preservator]

It is not likely that this piece is actually tempera (egg protein), since that requires a rigid support and can not be done on paper. Whatever the medium
may be, paper requires enclosure. Exposure of paper to the air creates a situation in which the paper acts as a filter for the air and accumulates pollution, from the air; not a good role for any painting. Please listen to everyone, here, and use glazing in your framing.



Hugh

 

[sharonm]

Thank you all!

Thank you to all who replied! I knew deep down to put glazing on this item, and I don't know why I started to doubt my experience! I'm going to call her now & reaffirm she should use glazing on these!