Questions & Answers
Our trusted network of 1stDibs sellers answer common questions
Does sunlight affect oil paintings?
1 Answer
Yes, sunlight affects oil paintings. Keep your oil paintings away from direct sunlight.
To maintain oil paintings that you purchased for your home, experts suggest that you keep them out of sunlight. Prolonged exposure to the sunlight coming in from a window can fade the colors in your painting. Do not hang your oil painting near a heat source or where it can get wet (bathrooms and kitchens are not safe for your oil painting).
You may wish to dust your oil painting so that layers of dust don’t begin to gather on its surface. This should only be considered to remove loose dust. Never spray any chemical substance on your oil painting. Do not use a damp cloth to dust your oil painting. (Again, your painting should not be exposed to moisture.)
To remove loose dust, use a soft brush that measures approximately one to two inches wide with natural-hair bristles. Do not use a dust cloth or a feather duster, as those items may catch or leave threads or feathers behind. Do not apply pressure or dust your painting for an extended period of time.
If you think that your oil painting is considerably dirty or believe that other issues may be at work, experts strongly suggest that you consult with a professional conservator.
Read about how to arrange your wall art and find oil paintings for sale on 1stDibs.
To maintain oil paintings that you purchased for your home, experts suggest that you keep them out of sunlight. Prolonged exposure to the sunlight coming in from a window can fade the colors in your painting. Do not hang your oil painting near a heat source or where it can get wet (bathrooms and kitchens are not safe for your oil painting).
You may wish to dust your oil painting so that layers of dust don’t begin to gather on its surface. This should only be considered to remove loose dust. Never spray any chemical substance on your oil painting. Do not use a damp cloth to dust your oil painting. (Again, your painting should not be exposed to moisture.)
To remove loose dust, use a soft brush that measures approximately one to two inches wide with natural-hair bristles. Do not use a dust cloth or a feather duster, as those items may catch or leave threads or feathers behind. Do not apply pressure or dust your painting for an extended period of time.
If you think that your oil painting is considerably dirty or believe that other issues may be at work, experts strongly suggest that you consult with a professional conservator.
Read about how to arrange your wall art and find oil paintings for sale on 1stDibs.
1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2024
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Shop for Oil Paintings on 1stDibs
Hunt Slonem "Pink View" Butterflies on Metallic
By Hunt Slonem
Located in Houston, TX
Hunt Slonem "Pink View" Butterflies on Metallic
Pink and orange butterflies on a metallic gold and silver etched background in a vintage frame.
Unframed: 10 x 8 inches
Framed: 14.5 ...
Category
2010s Neo-Expressionist Animal Paintings
Materials
Wood, Oil
Nude Female Holding a Seashell, 19th Century
Located in Blackwater, GB
"Femme Nue Avec Coquillage" , 19th Century
School of Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot (1796-1875)
Large 19th Century French portrait of a nude female holding a shell, oil on canvas scho...
Category
19th Century Portrait Paintings
Materials
Oil, Canvas
A Ways Away, Contemporary Abstract Landscape Painting
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This painting uses cool earth colors and a combination of oil and wax to create a landscape focusing on brushwork, color and form. Like many of the artists paintings the landscape co...
Category
2010s Abstract Abstract Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Wax, Oil
Hunt Slonem "Cardinals" Two Red Birds
By Hunt Slonem
Located in Houston, TX
Hunt Slonem "Cardinals" Two Red Birds
Two red Cardinal birds sitting on a branch over a gold metallic and blue etched background. Framed in an antique frame.
Unframed: 10 x 8 inche...
Category
2010s Neo-Expressionist Animal Paintings
Materials
Wood, Oil
Pocke Yellowy Orange Clementine, Original painting, Still life, Clementine
Located in Deddington, GB
Pocket Yellowy Orange Clementine is an original oil painting by Dani Humberstone as part of her Pocket Painting series featuring small scale realistic oil paintings, with a nod to ba...
Category
2010s Contemporary Still-life Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Pocket Mauve Anemone, Original Painting, Flower, Black
Located in Deddington, GB
Pocket Anemone is an original oil painting by Dani Humberstone as part of her Pocket Painting series featuring small scale realistic oil paintings, with a nod to baroque still life p...
Category
2010s Realist Still-life Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil