You have just purchased a masterpiece of art. But now what? How do you hang the painting so that it has maximum appeal? Here are some tips for this:
1. Hang It at the Right Height
Museums and leading auction houses hang most of their paintings at the same height: 1.55 meters (5’1″) from the middle of the painting. Though sometimes artists provide specific instructions for the height of their works. You should use 1.55 meters as a rule of thumb for placement in your home, taking into account the height of your ceilings and furniture.
2. Use Measuring Tools
You may be tempted to hang your painting using your eyesight alone, but you should really avoid this temptation, as your eyes are not always accurate. Instead, use a tape measure for determining distance and a bubble level. The latter is particularly important if you are trying to hang the painting symmetrically.
3. Fasten the Painting Securely
While you could use a single hook or other fastener to hold the painting, you should really consider using double fasteners (one on each side of the painting.) This will help prevent the painting from tilting forward off the wall, and it will also help keep the painting from moving if someone accidentally bumps into it.
4. Avoid Hanging It in Places That Could Cause It Damage
You should avoid hanging a painting in certain areas of your home that could damage it, such as in direct sunlight or above fireplaces. You also want to avoid placing it in areas of high humidity and fluctuating temperatures. You should further use frames that protect artwork from temperature and light.
5. Place Your Paintings in Their Best Possible Contexts
Context is important when deciding where to hang a particular painting. You want to make sure that the style of the artwork does not conflict with its surroundings. For example, a very abstract or very edgy painting will likely not feel right in a conservative setting.
If you are placing the artwork in the same room as other pieces, you want to consider how well these pieces of art mesh together. You may want to group paintings and other forms of art based not only on styles but also on visual themes. You can also match artwork based on how well they contrast with each other, both stylistically and thematically.
Also, keep in the mind the importance of negative space. Negative space is emptiness between works of art. This is the path viewers of the art will take as they go from one piece to another. Take this path yourself and make certain that the space between works aids in the enjoyment of them.
6. Do Not Get Hung Up on the Rules
Hanging a painting is more art than science. This means that you should feel free to ignore any of the rules. Always remember that it is your painting, and that you can hang it any way you feel it looks best. Also, a great looking painting will always look great no matter how you hang it.