Microclimate Frames for Paintings

Description

The first known attempt to make a Microclimate frame, to protect paintings from pollutants and fluctuating relative humidity, was made by W.S. Simpson and patented in 1892. The year after, the most deteriorated of a series of paintings by J.M.W. Turner was installed in his vacuum frame, the “Simpson box”. Over 100 years later, and still in the frame, the painting’s condition was seemingly far superior to that of the others not included in microclimate frames. The Research programme microclimates: Paintings on panel and canvas from 1992 offered vital new information on the behaviour of a microclimate frame. These findings were further developed during the EU 6th Framework project: PROPAINT – Improved Protection of Paintings during Exhibition, Storage and Transit. While there may be benefits in the use of microclimate frames for display or transporting purposes, there may also be risks from volatile organic compounds emitted by components of the MC-frames.

Period	12 May 2022
Held at	International Academic Projects Ltd (IAP), United Kingdom
Degree of Recognition	International