Compare Fine Art Lighting Technologies For Best Performance And Value

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Compare Fine Art Lighting Technologies For Best Performance And Value

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Author: PhantomBill | Total views: 6 | Word Count: 722 | Category: Interior Design | Date: Oct 23rd 2009

When searching for a specialized fixture to illuminate fine paintings, there are a number of different technologies available for consideration by the discerning collector. Careful comparison of the respective characteristics of existing product types is essential in order to choose a fixture that meets the visual and cost objectives of the purchaser.

The simplest and least costly solution is a traditional picture light, which is attached to either the top of the picture frame or the wall and has an armature which extends out over the artwork and has a tubular horizontal light bar to project light on the painting. This type of fixture typically has a metal finish of brass or other decorative finish and may be described as a Troy Light or House of Troy, for example.

Another approch often seen in commercial art galleries consists of track lighting with movable track mounted spotlights, which can be adjusted to illuminate paintings of various sizes and shapes. While this method allows great flexibility, there is limited ability to confine the light pattern to the artwork itself. Also, the appearance of track lighting in a residential setting is most often consistent with a more contemporary design.

In anticipation of having a painting mounted over a fireplace mantle, builders and designers often specify a type of recessed fixture in the ceiling near the wall above the fireplace. These can either be an eyeball type, with limited adjustability or a smaller recessed low voltage fixture which is less conspicuous.

All of these approaches, while relatively inexpensive, fail to highlight the painting in a dramatic fashion by limiting the light to the canvas itself. The family of devices known as recessed framing projectors provide this next level of lighting effect to a greater or lesser degree. The methods by which the projected light beam is crafted to the shape of the canvas, as well as the ability to vary the size of the light beam represent the major points of difference between the various projectors on the market.

The most basic models have a fixed beam angle, which determines the size of the overall projected circle of light. Therefore, the size of the painting will determine the necessary distance between the fixture and the painting. Once the fixture is installed in the appropriate location and aimed at the painting, the shutter system of the projector can be adjusted to crop the light beam to conform to the shape of the canvas. Care must be taken to avoid touching the shutters after adjustment, as any movement will result in a change in the crafted shape of the light beam. Likewise, periodic readjustment of the shutters will be necessary due to the drift which occurs when the fixture undergoes repeated heating and cooling during normal use.

More sophisticated and more expensive are projectors which rely on a thin brass insert which must be carefully cut out to match the shape of light beam desired. This style of fixture also provides variable lens options which permit changing the size of the light beam to fit the painting size. Although the custom cutting of the brass insert precludes the drifting experienced with less precise shuttering devices, the cutting process is quite tedious and usually requires a factory-trained specialist to travel to the site and spend several hours cutting each brass template. Not only are such fixtures more expensive, but are made even more costly when one considers the time and travel expense of the expert installer.

Newer generation framing projectors are now available and provide the best capabilities of both technologies and are priced more moderately. Not only do they offer the variable beam size options, but have shutters that can be securely locked in place after precise adjustment and therefore can not drift. For illuminating sculptures or other artwork which is not rectangularly shaped, the brass template option is also available on selected models.

Careful analysis of the performance one expects from an art lighting fixture will provide a clear path to the best choice. At that point, the decision really comes down to the cost and whether the value of the art justifies the expense of the fixture to be employed.

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About the Author

Phantom Lighting manufactures Fine Art Lighting products and specialized strip lighting fixtures that fulfill all the technical and aesthetic qualities of exceptional cove, custom cabinet and under cabinet lighting. See our lighting products at http://www.phantomlighting.com

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When searching for a specialized fixture to illuminate fine paintings, there are a number of different technologies available for consideration by the discerning collector. Careful comparison of the respective characteristics of existing product types is essential in order to choose a fixture that meets the visual and cost objectives of the purchaser. 
 
The simplest and least costly solution is a traditional picture light, which is attached to either the top of the picture frame or the wall and has an armature which extends out over the artwork and has a tubular horizontal light bar to project light on the painting. This type of fixture typically has a metal finish of brass or other decorative finish and may be described as a Troy Light or House of Troy, for example. 
 
Another approch often seen in commercial art galleries consists of track lighting with movable track mounted spotlights, which can be adjusted to illuminate paintings of various sizes and shapes. While this method allows great flexibility, there is limited ability to confine the light pattern to the artwork itself. Also, the appearance of track lighting in a residential setting is most often consistent with a more contemporary design. 
 
In anticipation of having a painting mounted over a fireplace mantle, builders and designers often specify a type of recessed fixture in the ceiling near the wall above the fireplace. These can either be an eyeball type, with limited adjustability or a smaller recessed low voltage fixture which is less conspicuous. 
 
All of these approaches, while relatively inexpensive, fail to highlight the painting in a dramatic fashion by limiting the light to the canvas itself. The family of devices known as recessed framing projectors provide this next level of lighting effect to a greater or lesser degree. The methods by which the projected light beam is crafted to the shape of the canvas, as well as the ability to vary the size of the light beam represent the major points of difference between the various projectors on the market. 
 
The most basic models have a fixed beam angle, which determines the size of the overall projected circle of light. Therefore, the size of the painting will determine the necessary distance between the fixture and the painting. Once the fixture is installed in the appropriate location and aimed at the painting, the shutter system of the projector can be adjusted to crop the light beam to conform to the shape of the canvas. Care must be taken to avoid touching the shutters after adjustment, as any movement will result in a change in the crafted shape of the light beam. Likewise, periodic readjustment of the shutters will be necessary due to the drift which occurs when the fixture undergoes repeated heating and cooling during normal use. 
 
More sophisticated and more expensive are projectors which rely on a thin brass insert which must be carefully cut out to match the shape of light beam desired. This style of fixture also provides variable lens options which permit changing the size of the light beam to fit the painting size. Although the custom cutting of the brass insert precludes the drifting experienced with less precise shuttering devices, the cutting process is quite tedious and usually requires a factory-trained specialist to travel to the site and spend several hours cutting each brass template. Not only are such fixtures more expensive, but are made even more costly when one considers the time and travel expense of the expert installer. 
 
Newer generation framing projectors are now available and provide the best capabilities of both technologies and are priced more moderately. Not only do they offer the variable beam size options, but have shutters that can be securely locked in place after precise adjustment and therefore can not drift. For illuminating sculptures or other artwork which is not rectangularly shaped, the brass template option is also available on selected models. 
 
Careful analysis of the performance one expects from an art lighting fixture will provide a clear path to the best choice. At that point, the decision really comes down to the cost and whether the value of the art justifies the expense of the fixture to be employed. Article Source: <a href="http://www.articlesoft.com" target="_blank">ArticleSoft.com</a> About the Author: Phantom Lighting manufactures Fine Art Lighting products and specialized strip lighting fixtures that fulfill all the technical and aesthetic qualities of exceptional cove, custom cabinet and under cabinet lighting. See our lighting products at http://www.phantomlighting.com

Tags: Art Lighting, Fine Art lighting, picture light, light paintings