Art Lighting 101: Tips and Best Products for Displaying Your Collection
Mitchell Elworthy
August 24, 2024 at 5:32 am
Art is one of the most beautiful and captivating forms of expression, and it should be displayed at its best. Lighting is crucial to how your artwork is seen and the emotions it evokes. It can also impact the lifespan of your pieces, which is partly why gallery lighting is such a well-researched topic. Wherever you’re displaying your artwork, it deserves the right lighting.
Art lighting considerations
When considering how you light your artwork, there are several factors to consider. The most important 5 are:
Colour Rendering Index (CRI) Lighting artwork requires a high CRI value for accurate colour representation and authentic vibrancy. To exhibit art as intended, choose a CRI of 90 or above. Low CRI lighting can leave colours washed out and artwork distorted, reducing its effect and appeal. The below image demonstrates the impact of CRI, which you can find out more about in our CRI guide.
Direction & placement In general, you will wish to avoid shadows and hotspots on your art, giving a consistent level of lighting across the piece. The direction and placement in relation to lighting - both natural and artificial - is therefore important. Placing artwork at eye level will not only make it easier for you to appreciate but will also make it easier to light since that is often where most natural light is targetted.
Glare impacts different mediums of art and their supports to varying degrees. A canvas piece, for example, absorbs light much better than a glass-framed piece and is, therefore, more resistant to glare. The two most important factors to reduce glare are the angle of the lighting and the relative position of the light. Most ceiling-mounted lighting for artwork will be at around a 25-degree angle so that the light beam touches the centre of the piece. Long shadows are produced by lighting at an angle of 10 degrees, whereas reflected glare is produced at a 45-degree angle.
We recommend testing out your art in a few temporary positions and reviewing it at different times of the day.
Light colour/ temperature
The temperature of your lighting will also affect your art display decisions. There is no one rule here, and the decision is dependent on the piece(s), the room, and your vision for your art. For a clear, crisp view, popular for modern artwork, choose a cooler temperature of around 4000K. For a more relaxed and ambient feel, or a more traditional piece of art, a warmer temperature would be more appropriate.
Type of light
There is a huge variety of art lighting available. Before you can consider individual styles and brands, you first need to consider the type of light you’d like to choose. The next section of our article focuses on four of the most popular types of art lighting and our best-selling art light for each.
Picture Lights - Best for smaller collections and drawing individual focus
Considerations
Design: As picture lights tend to be placed nearer to the individual piece, and usually in line of sight, it’s design is important. There is a vast array of picture light styles abailable, from traditional intricate designs to sleek modern finishes, making it easy to find a style that complements your frame, the artwork itself and the decor of the room. Unless the individual piece will remain permanently in one place, consider the room decor as a priority and opt for a more simple design.
Size: Picture lights accommodate different artwork sizes, but you need to ensure that the beam is broad enough for your piece Some picture lights will not provide sufficient coverage for larger artwork. The number and position of the light bulbs within the picture light will also impact how the light is cast. For wider pieces of art, look for picture lights with at least two bulbs, and a wider head to spread the light across the piece.
Installation: Picture lights must be hardwired into the wall so we would recommend employing an electrician to assist you with your picture light. Although they are fixed, they tend to be smaller fittings and easier to remove and change than ceiling lights.
Track Lights - Best for galleries & larger displays
Considerations
Beam Angle: The ability to adjust the beam angle of track lights is a very useful feature so do make sure the track lights you select have this option. This directional lighting enables you to draw attention to particular parts of your artwork, and to move them around at a later date as desired. In most situations, a beam angle of 20 to 25 degrees will be right, so we recommend starting here to find the right angle for your pieces.
Fixture flexibility: One of the standout benefits of track lighting is the ability to move the individual light fixtures along the track. Almost all track lighting has this feature which is why it has become so popular with commercial galleries and collectors. If you have a darker painting which requires more light, you can simply move an additional light or two towards it. Installing track lights is also simpler than installing most other types of ceiling lights.
Variety: Track lighting systems are available in a wide range of designs and materials, so you can pick the one that best matches your artwork and décor. Because track lighting is surface-mounted and stands out, some people may not find it visually appealing. If this is the case, you can consider recessed lighting which is more subtle but does not have the same degree of flexibility.
Recessed Adjustable Downlights - Best for keeping the focus on the art
Considerations
Placement is key: With recessed downlights, you can cast an even amount of light over any legnth of wall, beautifully highlighting your artwork while subtly illuminating the space. This layout gives a polished, professional look that does not need adjusting for changes to your display. The placement of each light and consistent spacing in between is key to preventing dark spots and light pooling.
Sleek & subtle: Recessed downlights are hidden and inconspicuous but still simultaneously provide brilliant, directed lighting. Many modern collectors favour this style as it ensures that the focus is on the artwork, rather than the lighting. Opt for downlights that have tri-color variation so that you can change the warmth of the light for the time of day - this provides a laid-back and adaptable method of illuminating art.
Installation: As downlight installation involves inserting the lights into the ceiling, we recommend getting assistance from a lighting designer or electrician before getting underway to minimise the work you need to do. For example, most downlights will include a plug so it’s important to get the distance right before cutting holes in your ceiling.
Surface Mounted Lights - A flexible, scalable solution for home or commercial galleries
Considerations
Choose the right fixture: Choose a light that matches your artwork and the space's overall aesthetic is key as surface-mounted lights are less subtle than recessed lighting. However, there are a huge variety of types and styles on the market so you should be able to find lighting that complements the texture and finish of the décor (as well as the piece itself).
Placement and number of lights: Similar to recessed downlights, to prevent hot spots or glare, consider placing multiple lights to evenly distribute light. Individual surface mounted lights provide a high degree of flexibility with regards to placement so you can ensure a consistent level of lighting across each of your pieces, from corner to corner.
Focus: Pin spotlights are a stylish way to focus light on certain works of art and many surface-mounted lights can be angled and adjusted to ensure that the light illuminates the majority, or the desired, part of the artwork. Surface-mounted lights with adjustable beam dispersion and direction are worth the investment, particularly if you like to rotate your artwork around.
Our best sellers for each type of Artwork Lighting
Picture Light - Barclay Picture Light in Antique Brass, Antique Silver or Shiny Nickel by Emac & Lawton
Features
High-quality finish: The Barclay wall sconce features an extremely high-quality finish, which can add an elegant touch to your artwork and room.
Classic design: The Barclay wall sconce appropriates the classic library/bankers lamp and brings it into a design that's perfect for a bedside table or to hang above a picture frame to give lighting.
Proven seller: This light has been a proven seller for years, and it's the most sold light internationally, which attests to its popularity and quality.
Limited brightness: Keep in mind that the Barclay wall sconce only takes 2 x E14 globes, which can limit its brightness and may not be suitable for larger or darker artworks.
Multiple variations: The Barclay wall sconce comes in multiple variations including antique brass, antique silver, and shiny nickel, allowing you to choose the best option to match your artwork and decor.
Looking for a classic and elegant way to light up your artwork? The Barclay wall sconce is the perfect solution. With its high-quality finish, this picture light has been a proven bestseller for years and is our most popular light internationally. Crafted from durable brass, the Barclay wall sconce features a design inspired by the classic library and banker's lamps. Its antique brass, antique silver, and shiny nickel variations are sure to complement any decor.
With a shade measuring ø410mm and a backplate measuring ø90mm, this hardwired light fixture takes 2 x e14 globes. While the brightness may be limited due to the number of globes, the Barclay wall sconce provides a warm and inviting glow that perfectly highlights your artwork. If you're looking wall-mounted picture light, the Barclay wall sconce is an excellent choice. Its classic design and high-quality construction make it a timeless addition to any art lover's home.
LED Track Head - LED Track Light 15w Tri Colour in Matt Black or Matt White Havit Commercial
Features
Versatility: The ability to add and change track heads makes this light a versatile option for any art gallery or space.
Beam angle customization: The option to change the beam angle to 15°, 24°, and 36°, or use the stock 60° ensures the best coverage for your art lighting.
CRI90: With a CRI90, this track light will show off the colors in your artwork almost perfectly.
Warranty: This light comes backed with a 5 year warranty for added peace of mind.
Glare reduction: The honeycomb lens option can help reduce glare, making it easier to view your artwork without straining your eyes.
Coloured Inserts Customisable: This LED track has a variety of baffle inserts to bring character and charm to your lighting design. Pick from black, white, or gold/brass trim choices to create a unique style that matches your interior design and adds visual appeal.
If you're looking for the perfect track light for your art gallery, the 15W LED track head is a top choice due to its versatility and flexibility in installation. You can easily add or change track heads, allowing for a customized lighting experience. This track head also offers adjustable beam angles ranging from 15° to 60°, so you can ensure optimal coverage of your artwork.
Additionally, it has a CRI90 rating, which accurately displays colors. The 5-year warranty provides peace of mind, and if you have high ceilings, you can also install the track with suspension kits. The honeycomb lens option reduces glare, making it perfect for viewing art, and there are also 25W and 35W models available for commercial applications, which are fully dimmable.
Recessed Art Downlight - 89mm LED Downlight 10w Black, White 3k, 4k CRI 90+ XRD10 Trend Lighting
Features
Quality materials: Trend Lighting employs high-quality materials in their products, ensuring that their downlights are sturdy and long-lasting.
Innovative design: The recessed pull-out lamp is a sleek and contemporary solution for art lighting, offering directed lighting for a range of applications. Fully adjustable, the light may be turned up to 355 degrees and slanted up to 90 degrees for ideal illumination coverage and direction.
Easy installation: Trend Lighting's downlights are simple to install and can be placed into any area with no effort.
Variety: Trend Lighting offers a vast selection of downlights for various purposes, including residential, commercial, and industrial environments.
CRI90: With a CRI90, this track light will almost precisely display the colours in your artwork.
The Recessed Pull Out Light is ideal for lighting artwork due to its sleek and contemporary appearance and completely adjustable 'pull-out' gimble, which permits directional modification in a range of lighting applications. This light is constructed with a single 10W LED with a high CRI of 90+, rendering colours accurately with high COB lumen outputs of 750Lm (3000K) and 780Lm (4000K) (4000K). Its totally adjustable design permits a 355° rotation and 90° tilt, making it simple to focus the light on the artwork by adjusting its direction. This light is energy-efficient and eco-friendly, with a system power of 11.8w and minimal energy usage. This light is made by Trend Lighting which are the leaders in downlights in Australia.
Surface Mounted Art Light - Nella LED Downlight 18w Black, White CCT HV5824T Havit Lighting
Features
Brand: In the Australian lighting market, Havit Lighting is a popular and trusted company, renowned for their excellent products and dependable customer service.
Modern Design: This downlight's rotating design provides for complete directional control, making it suitable for a variety of lighting applications.
Finish: This downlight's powder-coated black or white aluminium finish offers it a sleek, contemporary appearance that complements any interior design style.
Only one Beam Angle: This downlight's 60-degree beam angle delivers a concentrated and efficient light output that may illuminate particular regions or items.
Fully Dimmable: This downlight's Triac dimmable and TRI Colour capabilities allow for customization of the light intensity and colour temperature, making it a versatile and adaptable choice for any area.
Artists and art enthusiasts realise that lighting is crucial to showcasing art. Choosing the appropriate lighting is key. Consider the Havit Lighting surface mounted rotating LED downlight. This surface mounted downlight from Australia's Havit Lighting is totally directional. The aluminium powder-coated black/white downlight adds style to your art display.The downlight's 60° beam angle focuses light on your artwork's finest elements. The Triac Dimmable light lets you set the brightness.
The TRI Colour option lets you pick between warm, neutral, and cold light conditions. Its adaptability lets you set the right art exhibition mood. The IP54-rated downlight is dust- and water-resistant, making it perfect for humid locations like bathrooms and kitchens.
The downlight's 18w LED delivers long-lasting, energy-efficient lighting. A 3-year replacement warranty gives you confidence in your purchase. The Havit Lighting surface-mounted rotating LED downlight is ideal for art shows. Its customizable design, focused beam angle, and TRI Colour selections let you light your artwork perfectly.
Lighting plays a crucial role in showcasing art to its fullest potential. Proper lighting enhances the vibrancy, longevity, and overall effect of the artwork. Choosing the right type of lighting is essential to highlighting the true essence of the artwork and ultimately your own enjoyment of the pieces. It is worth spending the time to choose the right option, and it will pay dividends over time.
If you need some support to design and light the ideal space for your artwork, our qualified lighting designers are on hand to help. They have significant expertise in this area and will be able to recommend specific products and advise on placement.
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