When it comes to packing and moving a large collection of oil paintings within the UK, there are several unique considerations to keep in mind. Artwork, especially oil paintings, are delicate and require special handling to ensure their safety during transit. As you embark on this journey, this comprehensive guide will walk you through the key aspects of packing, transporting, and ensuring the safety of your precious art pieces.
Understanding the Delicate Nature of Oil Paintings
Oil paintings are more than just artworks; they are often priceless, carrying immense sentimental and financial value. Their delicate nature demands special attention during packing and moving. Understanding this is key to ensuring their safety.
Each oil painting is a unique piece of art crafted painstakingly over many hours, weeks, or even months. The oil paint used in these artworks is sensitive to temperature changes, humidity, and physical impact. Any sudden change or mishandling can lead to the paint cracking, canvas warping, or the frame being damaged, thereby compromising the integrity of the painting.
It’s also worth noting that oil paintings continue to react with the environment even after they dry. This means that changes in temperature and humidity can cause the paint to expand or contract, leading to potential damage. Hence, it is critical that you take this into account when planning the packing and moving process.
Choosing the Right Packing Materials
The choice of packing materials plays a significant role in ensuring the safety of your oil paintings.
Start by sourcing acid-free tissue paper or glassine paper. This is used to wrap the surface of the oil painting, protecting it from dust, moisture, and accidental scratches. Acid-free materials are crucial here, as they prevent chemical reactions with the paint that could result in discolouration or other damages over time.
Next, consider using cardboard corner protectors. These are placed over the corners of the framed painting to guard against impacts during transit.
Bubble wrap is another essential packing material. However, it should never be placed directly on the surface of the painting. Instead, use it around the exterior, once the painting is wrapped in acid-free paper, for additional protection and cushioning.
Lastly, procure robust artwork boxes and custom crates. These are specially designed to house artworks during transit, providing an additional layer of protection against physical damage and environmental conditions.
Packing Oil Paintings Correctly
The packing process can be broken down into a series of steps to ensure each painting is adequately secured.
First, place the acid-free tissue paper or glassine paper over the surface of the painting, securing it gently with painter’s tape. This forms the first layer of protection for your artwork.
Attach the cardboard corner protectors next, ensuring they snugly fit over the corners of the painting.
Then, wrap the entire painting, including the frame, in a layer of bubble wrap. Secure the bubble wrap with packing tape, ensuring it is tight enough to hold everything in place without applying excess pressure on the painting.
Finally, place the wrapped painting inside the artwork box or custom crate. Fill any empty spaces with packing peanuts or additional bubble wrap to prevent the painting from moving during transit.
Organising Transportation
Once all artworks are safely packed, it is time to organise their transportation.
Hiring professional moving services specialising in artwork is the best approach here. These companies have trained personnel who understand how to handle delicate items like oil paintings. They also have the necessary equipment and vehicles to ensure safe transit.
Before you finalise a mover, ensure they have ample insurance coverage. This provides an extra layer of security, compensating you for any damages that might occur during transit.
Also, consider the route and timing of the move. Oil paintings should be moved in controlled conditions to avoid exposure to extreme temperatures or humidity. Thus, plan the move during a time of year with mild weather, and choose a route that minimises the time the artwork spends in transit.
Acclimatising Artworks Post-Move
After successfully moving your oil paintings, the unpacking and acclimatising process begins.
Do not rush to unpack and hang the paintings immediately. Instead, let them slowly acclimate to the new environment. This gradual process helps prevent sudden changes that could harm the artwork.
Regularly inspect the paintings during this time, looking for signs of damage or distress. If there are any issues, reach out to a professional conservator for advice and possible restoration.
In conclusion, moving a large collection of oil paintings within the UK is an intricate process that requires meticulous planning and execution. By understanding the delicate nature of oil paintings, choosing the right packing materials, packing correctly, organising safe transportation, and acclimatising the artwork post-move, you can ensure a successful move, securing the safety of your prized collection.
Insurance and Valuation of Oil Paintings
While it is essential to pack and transport your oil paintings with utmost care, it is also important to understand the value of insurance. Moving artworks, particularly oil paintings, involves a certain degree of risk. Professional movers specialising in artwork will be insured, but it’s worth considering to take out additional coverage to ensure that your collection is fully protected.
Firstly, have your oil paintings appraised by a professional art appraiser to determine their monetary value. The valuation should be based on the market value of the artwork, taking into account its age, creator, condition, and provenance. Secure written appraisals for each piece in your collection as these will be required by insurance companies for coverage and in case of any damage or loss during transit.
Art insurance policies typically provide all-risk, worldwide coverage for physical loss or damage. They might also include protection for newly acquired works, temporary loans to museums or institutions, and transit by a broad range of transport methods.
Ensure you fully understand the terms and conditions of your policy, including any deductibles, exclusions, and the process for making a claim. It is highly recommended to consult with an insurance professional or a broker specialising in art insurance to ensure that your coverage meets your specific needs.
Final Checklist Before the Move
Once the packing and insurance considerations are taken care of, it’s time to run through a final checklist before the move.
Ensure that each painting has been carefully packed and labelled. Labels should indicate that the contents are fragile and need to be handled with care. It’s also beneficial to number the boxes and maintain a record of the artwork each box contains. This helps to keep track of the paintings during the move and makes unpacking and setting up in your new location easier.
Double-check that the moving company is informed about the delicate nature of the cargo and that they have the necessary experience, equipment, and insurance to handle it.
Review the moving schedule and route with the movers, ensuring that the paintings will be transported in a controlled environment and that the transit time is minimised.
Lastly, prepare the new location for the arrival of your artwork. Ensure that the space is clean, the temperature and humidity levels are suitable, and that you have the necessary hooks and tools on hand to hang the paintings once they have acclimatised.
Conclusion
Relocating a large collection of oil paintings within the UK is a meticulous task that requires significant planning, careful packing, and safe transportation. Understanding the delicate nature of oil paintings, choosing the right packing materials, arranging for professional art movers, insuring your collection, and properly acclimatising the artwork post-move are all critical steps in this process. However, with careful planning and execution, you can ensure the safe transit of your oil paintings, preserving their value and integrity for years to come.
