Emergency Preparedness and Response

• Items on Exhibit
• Items with Coated Papers
• Items with Soluble Inks and Colorants
• Books and Bound Materials
• Manuscripts
• Art on Paper
• Items Housed in Plastic Enclosures
• Photographic Materials
• Microform
• Audio/Visual Recordings
• Paintings and other Framed or Glazed Art
• Metals
• Glass/Ceramics
• Wood
• Textiles
• Wet Natural History Collections

Paintings and Other Framed or Glazed Art

Oil Paintings   -   Framed/Glazed Artworks

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Oil Paintings

Recovery Priority during the first 24-48 hours

Wet paintings: what to expect

• Wooden supports might warp
• Wear thin plastic gloves. Wet items are easily torn, so handle them carefully by the edges and support from underneath.
• Composite objects may delaminate
• Wet or damp varnishes can abrade
• Priming layers and glue are not stable

Freezing Procedures

• Do not freeze or freeze dry.
• Wear thin plastic gloves.
• Handle paintings carefully by the edges and support from underneath.
• Carry horizontally.

Air Drying Procedures

Air dry only.

• Gently remove debris from the front of the painting while wet except for water soluble or flaking media.
• Do not remove debris from the back of the wet painting; wait until it is dry.
• Remove the painting from the frame (leave canvas on stretcher).
• Place the painting face up without touching paint layer
• If possible, dry in a slow controlled manner using tenting supported by blocks under the painting to increase airflow.
• If the paint starts to flake while drying, face the top surface with tissue like Japanese tissue or toilet paper to prevent paint loss.

If paint is stable

• Put the painting face down on an absorbent surface of blotter or blank newsprint followed by a non-woven spun polyester and finally glassine on top of the stack.
• Gently blot the back of the painting with an absorbent material.
• Blotting material can be placed in between the stretcher bar and canvas while drying and changed frequently until dry.

For limited drying space

• Stand the wettest painting edge on top with the painting’s surface or face against a wall or rigid structure.
• Place a support like a cloth or foam block along the top edge between the painting and the wall and beneath the painting on the floor.
• During drying, rotate the painting 180 degrees to allow for even evaporation.
• If the floor is dirty, cover the floor with polyethylene sheeting covered with paper.

If packing damp or wet paintings is required:

• Wrap paintings in glassine, blank newsprint, or plastic sheeting.
• Once wrapped, support the painting with two pieces of cardboard secured by taping the edges.
• Write descriptive information about the painting on front piece of cardboard.
• Wrapping the painting in plastic can cause a mold outbreak. Remove the painting as soon as possible. No longer than 48 hours in plastic.

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Framed/Glazed Artworks

Recovery Priority during the first 24-48 hours

• Immediately dry.
• Drain and carry horizontally.

Freezing Procedures

• Remove frame or glazing. (Do not attempt to remove if the item is sticking to glass.)
• Pack as dimensions allow.
• Freeze as applicable for media type.
• May be freeze dried according to media type.

Air Drying Procedures

• Remove items from frame or glazing.
• Air-dry the item face up on absorbent material. (Do not attempt to remove if the item is sticking to glass; instead, air-dry the back of the item with glass side placed face down.)

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