How to properly light a painting?

Do you want to highlight a painting, a canvas or a wall decoration? By following these tips, you will find the right light fixture to put your artwork in the spotlight!   The Right Light Fixture Wall lamp Installed above the painting, a wall lamp with a long arm allows the light beam to be directed directly onto the frame and illuminate it evenly. Its installation must, however, be planned in advance to conceal the electrical wires. Otherwise, most models also have a plug-in option directly into an electrical outlet.   Ceiling light A wall artwork can also be lit with adjustable ceiling lights. Two spotlights placed above the painting are usually sufficient. The lighting should not be too powerful to create soft shadows.   Table lamp If a table, console, or buffet is placed in front of the painting, an adjustable table or desk lamp can be installed there. Simply direct the light beam towards the artwork to be illuminated.   The Type of Lighting LED lighting is ideal for illuminating a painting. It diffuses light very precisely, drawing attention to the objects to be illuminated. In addition to having a long lifespan and consuming very little energy, LED lighting produces neither ultraviolet nor infrared rays; it does not heat up and does not alter the artworks, even the most fragile ones.   The Color of the Luminous Flux Kelvin (K) is a unit used to classify lighting according to the color of its luminous flux. This classification determines the color diffused by the lamp. "Neutral" white is estimated at 4000 K. The higher this index, the bluer the light will be, providing a cold atmosphere. A slightly warm white light, at a temperature of around 3000 K, will create a warmer atmosphere. The choice will therefore depend on the ambiance you wish to bring to the nature of the artwork.   For the Technical Collector An often-overlooked aspect when selecting a bulb to illuminate a work of art is its Color Rendering Index (CRI), a concept that evaluates a light source's ability to reproduce colors in the visible spectrum. It is expressed as a number from 0 to 100. The higher a source's CRI, the more accurate and natural the light it emits will appear, and the more the hues of the objects it illuminates will be preserved. Most commercial LED bulbs (sold in supermarkets) have a CRI close to 80 (medium-low). Most bulbs sold at Luminaires & cie have a CRI of 90+ (very good).   However, we observe a very big difference when moving to SORAA brand bulbs with a CRI of 95. They are often used in art galleries, museums, and specialized boutiques where color and ambiance are of great importance. Visit us in store to learn more about these high-end bulbs.   Pro Tips

• Very large paintings require several wall lamps or several ceiling lights.
• If your painting is protected by glass, make sure it is anti-reflective glass, to avoid light reflection.
• The center of the painting should ideally be at eye level.
• Unless you want to create a contrasting effect, choose lighting in the same style as the painting. For example, an abstract work would pair very well with a modern wall light.