Handling Paintings and Frames

Grafton Portrait, oil painting, 1588

Before moving a framed work, check its structure to ensure that it is strong enough to be moved.

• It’s crucial to check the surface of the frame for any loose decorative areas.
• Prepare a flat surface with padding (plastazote) to rest the frame on before moving.
• Always handle a frame by both sides if you can.
• Never touch the painting surface within the frame
• Never pick up a picture by using the stretchers crossbars on the back of the canvas: this may stretch and distort the canvas and may cause the paint to flake.
• If the painting is small and light enough to be carried by one person, it should be lifted and carried with the painting surface/glazing side towards you.

Lifting and carrying a framed painting with the glazing side towards you

• For large paintings, two people are required to hold the frames by the side and bottom to support them. Another person is needed to help opening the doors.
• Frames can easily be damaged by mirror plates and hanging hooks. Always be careful to stack framed works on paper face to face and back to back.

To transport very large paintings specialist movers are recommended.

Images reproduced with the permission of The John Rylands University Librarian and Director of the University of Manchester Library. All images used on this page are licenced via CC-BY-NC-SA, for further information about each image, please follow the link in the description.

If you are interested in using any material from Special Collections please get in contact with our Reading Room staff : uml.special-collections@manchester.ac.uk

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