How are works of art protected from theft and damage?

Works of art have a value that is often difficult to determine. Paintings of newcomers in business like the American painter Robert Hunter Biden can get high prices from a standing start, while luminary like Vincent van Gogh lived a large part of their lives in poverty and invested all their income in painting.

If you see how much strength and life is invested in art, then every reasonable person will certainly feel that you have to take care of the protection of this art.

The protection consists of many aspects, for example the employment of security for Munich and for all of Bavaria, if you are based in Bavaria and in consulting specialists for preservation.

Art theft is more common than you may believe

Again and again there are thefts of highly endowed works of art. Objects such as large gold coin or gemstones that can be melted or shredded by the unscrupulous thieves are preferred here.

But it can also happen that famous paintings and sculptures are stolen. However, this happens much less frequently, because this unique gems are difficult to sell without attracting attention.

Safe protection for works of art can rarely be made available by the police, because it has hardly enough staff for everyday life. The guarding of art is therefore usually taken over by security companies that also specialize in this work.

Security companies can then teach the owner about the different types of protection that form a security concept overall. A noble brooch must be secured differently than an image in an exhibition that should be accessible to the general public.

Not only thieves are a danger

The theft in such an exhibition is a danger that security forces can prevent nobody from getting to the art that is to be guarded. However, if the criminals are only targeting a publicly effective damage to the posted art, then the task of the security men is a bit more complicated.

Finally, the visitors of an exhibition come close to the exhibition during their visit and art is to be seen. That is why attempts from vandalism are difficult to prevent and therefore copies of a painting are often posted.

If a real piece is exhibited, a robust protective disc protects the painting. Further steps depend on the political situation.

Security services can help with the access restriction and only let certain, carefully selected, visitors in an exhibition. Decisions that are not always easy must be made here.

Fire protection and disaster protection

Danger is not only from criminals and activists. Natural disasters and fires can also lead to serious losses for the art world. Fires can be prevented by sprinkler systems and smoke detectors, which is often associated with damage to the valuables.

It is better to install fire extinguishers in every room that is served by employees who regularly take a tour to suffocate any fire in the bud.

Other disasters such as floods or earthquakes cannot be prevented, but if the storage room of a work is well chosen, the risk can be almost completely minimized here.

Experts help against aging

Everything ages and is subject to change. Even stones weathering and color pigments are particularly subject to the weather. It is a miracle that some archaeological finds are still preserved, and this often only happens by a happy coincidence that has preserved a gem.

Conservation technicians and scientists who specialize in the aging process of pigments and other materials for works of art help to keep a work unchanged as long as possible. Although it is hardly possible to let the time go by a work without a trace, but you can slowly slow down the aging process and if it has to be, a professional restoration can also be carried out.

The aging processes are generally influenced by light and by the indoor climate. Therefore, in paintings, a humidity and as little light radiation as possible are often placed on the pigment.

Conclusion

If you want to keep a work of art in good condition, you have to consider a whole series of factors. The greatest danger is especially in the case of paintings in the aging of the pigments contained in the color due to unfavorable environmental influences.

If these conditions are adapted to the needs of conservation, attention must also be paid to the protection of a work of art from vandals and robbers.