How to protect your art collection. Conservation and Prevention.

No matter where you live, there will always be environmental causes for concern for your art collection. If you live in Florida, it will be humidity, while in a desertic zone, dryness could be the culprit. There are insects everywhere and other potential hazards. One or more will possibly affect your collection, alongside pests. The dreaded foxing in the paper, or the insects' holes, are some of the most common affections.

Inventory

The first step will be to make a complete and comprehensive inventory of your collection. The inventory should register all the pieces, including those stored somewhere else. It should contain several images of each piece (at least front, back, and detail of the signature) and all the relevant information such as the artist's name, title, technique, and dimensions. You should have a file for each piece and document its conservation state, especially those that pose a challenge with the technique or materials.

The inventory ideally should be made by a professional qualified to identify artists and techniques. This person could also spot conservation problems in the early stages and advise on how to fix them.

How to keep the pieces

Ideally, your pieces should be hanging or on view. However, many collections, due to their volume, are stored away. Again, the storage space should be climatized. It is an expense that will pay in the long run. The variation in temperatures affects artworks structurally, and in some instances, makes possible the growth of mold and pests.

If you are storing the pieces at an outside location, make a note to inspect the pieces at least once per year, ideally twice, to spot any conservation problems. Again, the inspection should be done preferably by a professional, who, once more, will be able to report any incipient or potential damages. Remember that prevention is often easier and less expensive than the cure.

Ensure that the pieces are not on the floor; there could be minor flooding like those caused by a broken pipe. If possible, cover them generally to protect them from leaks from the roof. Interestingly, most of the art claims are related to water damage, and these two (flooding and leaking ceilings) are the most common causes of damages.

If you add new pieces, have those examined and properly recorded before bringing them together with the rest of the pieces. If you are unable for whatever reasons, try to keep the new additions isolated until it is clear that it doesn't have any problems. Often pest such as termites are inside the frames and are virtually invisible to the naked eye, or the evidence is so subtle that could be missed. Once the infected structure is together with the rest of the artworks, the termites will migrate to any other food source: wood, paper, etc. If that happens, you could have an infestation in your hands, a difficult situation to handle, which will involve an exterminator and the possible restoration of multiple pieces.

Inspect the site and make sure there is no standing water, broken windows or doors, or any potential point of entry for pests or water. Check if there are bathrooms close by or any pipes that could burst or attract condensation. Dust is also your enemy; try to keep the space and the surfaces clean.

Documenting

It is advisable to keep detail and accurate records of any problems with your pieces or any restorations. It will assist you in the future if the situation takes a turn or if you need to make any claims. If it is a piece made with a novel technique, and the artist is alive, try to contact them and ask for a detailed description of the technical process. It may help you to decide how or where to place the piece. It will also help in determining how often you need to inspect it.

If you are transporting a piece for whatever reasons, consider making a conservation report before the event. It will be essential if something happens, and you need to make a claim. Once more, consider hiring a specialist who will be thorough in the process.

Know your zone and have a plan

As mentioned before, if you are in Florida, it will be wise to invest in a dehumidifier, especially if you live close to the coast. However, if you are in a dry zone, the opposite applies: you will need a humidifier. You need to know the specific climatic conditions of the place where you keep the pieces; that way, you can design a strategy for your collection. The zones affected by hurricanes need extra precautions, such as considering the constructions' strength and location since many places are prone to flooding. Even areas that historically will not flood should be periodically assessed. Just remember what happened to New York after hurricane Sandy in 2012. Hurricanes mainly affect the Caribbean and the South portion of the country. However, this one unexpectedly reached New York and caused havoc in the art world, causing flooding in several art galleries and homes.

In any case, please consider hiring a specialist to assess your collection, regardless of which stage you are, to make the necessary recommendations. I will also advise hiring one for the regular inspections. Consider these as the annual medical checkout for your collection. Look for somebody experienced and thorough in the assessments, which will provide you with a detailed report. They can also recommend the best conservators in your area or according to the type of artwork. Together you can design a plan to preserve your collection.