REASONS TO GLAZE OIL PAINTINGS
With the introduction of Museum Glass and its amazing clarity, reflection from the glass is no longer an excuse to leave canvas paintings unglazed.
To glaze or not to glaze?
Jim Miller's ten good reasons to glaze a canvas painting:
1. Eliminates the need for cleaning
A. Eliminates degradation/damage to the painting from invasive cleaning processes
2. Eliminates the need for varnish as a protective coating
3. Eliminates minor accidental cuts, punctures
4. Eliminates abrasions from accidental touching and janitorial work
5. Eliminates damage from airborne contaminants
A. Chemical fumes, such as internal-combustion engine exhaust, furnace fuel exhaust, fabric dyes
B. Particulate debris, such as dust, fingerprints, dander, road grime, cooking oils, soot, flyspeck (insect faeces)
6. Reduces likelihood of insect damage or infestation
A. Closed frame package includes glazing and solid backing
7. Buffers harmful flexing of the canvas due to vibrations or impacts
A. Closed frame package includes glazing and solid backing
8. Slows the rate of temperature and humidity changes inside the frame
A. Reduces severity of expansion/contraction cycles
B. Reduces delamination/flaking/peeling/cracking of the paint layers
C. Reduces stress on adhesion of layers
9. Improves durability of the painting
A. Slows the curing process, which is desirable to strengthen the paint layers
10. Reduces damage from radiation
A. Filters ultraviolet
Photographed here is an antique oil painting on canvas by Henry James Johnstone (1835-1907). It has been glazed with Tru Vue Museum Glass for UV protection and complete clarity.
This new oil painting on canvas by Matthew Armstrong was floated onto an L-shaped "tray frame" to show the edges of the canvas. It was then glazed with Tru Vue Museum Glass and finished with a square black Tasmanian oak outer frame.