Incandescent light and minimizing fade

Pelican Art

Grumbler
Joined
Feb 13, 2004
Posts
22
Loc
Petaluma, CA
Is there an incandescent bulb that is better than another in terms of minimizing fading of the artwork? We're using the conservation level glazing.

Thanks,
Linda
 
The only way you can improve on incandescent light
is to filter out its infrared, but the expense that involves may discourage the client.

Hugh
 
Typical incandescent lights have relatively more infrared light than untraviolet light, as Hugh pointed out. Ordinary glass removes about 40% of IR light. We have UV filters, but there is no practical IR light filter.

All light is damaging. That's why the galleries in art museums are generally dim, with windows covered, and the low-level light is carefully directed to the image.

UV light, at the high-frequency end of the spectrum, causes fading. The worst fading is from light above the visible range, which is why it can be filtered without affecting visibility.

IR light, at the low end of the spectrum, causes increased molecular activity, heat buildup, advances aging, discoloration, and embrittlement.

If you have a customer concerned about light damage, advise him/her to:

A) Use as little light as is practical to view the image. When not viewing, turn lights off.

B) Keep light fixtures away from the art. Ceiling-mounted lights are generally better than frame-mounted picture lights. However, consider that picture lights are usually less than 40 watts, but a ceiling light could be over 100 watts.

C) Eliminate stray ambient light by using opaque window shades, and by using fixtures that contain & direct the light accurately.
 
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