The Fickle Nature of Pigment - Art Investment

This Post was inspired by my friend Sheila Delgado, who supplied the link about the original colors of Van Goghs paintings and how they have faded. The Met Van Gogh ... scroll down to the video. Also, if you are interested in the subject of fugitive color, the reading list is fantastic!

I am very concerned about the archival quality of my paintings, because I came to acrylics via photography and it breaks my heart to see how much my early images have changed over time; many family photos taken in the 70’s with a poloroid instant camera are now almost invisible and of course no negatives to reproduce them. This was emphasized by a visit to The Louvre in 2013 where I saw with my own eyes the deterioration and non-climatized environment of valuable paintings in one of the most famous museums in the world.

Van Gogh was aware that his choice of Red Lake meant his paintings would change color, so he compensated, but even 30 years after his death the pinks and purples had badly faded which is obvious in early color plates and even more obvious today, but luckily, through modern science and educated guesses, his original color can be reconstructed.

Sadly, many modern artists seem totally unconcerned about the longevity of their work, working with ‘found’ surfaces and unconventional media with no archival prep. Art Works worth millions have proved difficult to maintain. Most serious collectors are concerned about preserving their investment, but others are horrifyingly complacent; I heard of a valuable art work the other day that was not only created on a badly deteriorating surface, but was owned by a corporation and had been pinned and stapled to a wall, leading to deterioration around the edges. shocking!

If you are an artist and concerned about fading, you need to make sure all surfaces are Archivally sound. Buy from reputable art supply locations and always ask for archival. If you are using student quality rather than professional, or surfaces containing lignin, make sure you use a shield like GAC 100 between your paint and the non-archival surface. Check that your media are archival. I’m constantly hearing that x,y,z product from the hardware store Works just as well ... sure but it’s not archival and there is no point in paying high prices for professional quality paint if you are intermingling student quality or hardware store products; your archival level for the entire artwork is only as good as the poorest quality product you have used anywhere on the piece.

If you’re a collector buying as an investment, you need to understand and check the archival level of the work you are purchasing. You also need to know what kind of climate control is required and what maintenance is involved. If the artist is uncertain, by all means purchase the piece to enjoy in your home or office, but don’t rely on it as an investment, Van Gogh being the exception:)