Caring For Art Investments
Purchasing art as an investment can be a great way to diversify a portfolio. As with other investments, however, an art buyer must properly plan and especially care for their investment to get a maximum return. Art needs to be protected from many different hazards, including water damage, dirt, smudging and theft. All of these hazards can be prevented with a little forethought and planning.
After making an art investment, the first thing to be considered is purchasing insurance for that piece. If an art investment is an expensive one, then an adequate amount of coverage should be made to recoup purchase cost if destroyed or stolen. Preparing for an unlikely event can prevent the loss of a very valuable piece of artwork.
The easiest way to lose or severely impede the value of artwork is by mishandling it. There is a proper way to move and handle a piece of artwork, and not doing so could mean losing lots of money. It is recommended that most artwork should be moved as little as possible.
When moving the artwork is necessary, it should never be done without protection on the hands. Oils and dirt as well as serums on the hands can smear and stain the paint, decreasing the value. Handling unframed work isn't recommended, as it might fall on the floor or dust and dirt particles could come in contact with the surface.
When a spot is chosen to hang or store an art investment, the climate surrounding that area should be ideal for housing artwork. The temperature in the room should be stable at all times. The usual temperature at which art should be held is 50-77 degrees Fahrenheit. The relative humidity should be no more than sixty percent.
If a buyer decides to hang the artwork rather than storing it in a temperature controlled vault or room, many more considerations are important. Framing an art investment, although mainly an aesthetic decision, can also affect value if it isn't done properly. Purchasing quality frames means buying a frame that doesn't have a lot of impurities that might degrade the condition of the piece.
Hanging a piece of art can also hold a few unexpected challenges. The buyer should be sure to purchase sturdy, resilient wire and hooks that can hold at least twice the weight of a framed artwork. The picture should be hung high to avoid contact with people.
Art investments can come in all different forms and mediums. Most mediums, like oil and water based paintings, are very susceptible to damage. Some art investors choose to put a glaze or varnish over their pieces. These finishes are used to prevent staining and also to give the piece of art a more desirable look.
In order to protect an investment as tactile as artwork, art investor must consider the many ways it could be damage. Art investments should be properly protected and maintained once they are purchased. Not protecting an art investment most certainly can mean the loss of that investment.
