Glazing an oil

[pramsay13]

I have been asked to reframe an oil portrait and the family want it glazed. It was recently done.
What are the pros and cons of glazing it?

[Roboframer]

Oh boy!

Pros, - well, what would they rather clean, a piece of glass or an oil painting - or in time pay someone to clean it?
All the same benefits that apply to anything you'd normally glaze!

Cons - possibility of breakage damaging the artwork, but then there's always acrylic.
Reflection, but then there's AR glass or if you really want to push the boat out, AR acrylic.

I offer glazing on oils as default, win some, lose some.
(Wait for the "breathers")

[pramsay13]

Thanks John, it's going to hang in an office with a lot of traffic, so I suspect it is a cleaning issue for them.
Is there no issue with the oils drying (or not?) I seem to remember something about that.

[Roboframer]

Worst that could happen is that the oil; offgasses and leaves a film on the inside of the glass - it won't do any harm to the oil and is easily removed, plus it might not happen and [Clarkson] Some Say{/Clarkson] that prolonged drying time is a benefit.

[Graysalchemy]

I have never glazed an oil in my life and on the odd occasion argued the toss with Robo about it, especially regarding out gassing and the natural drying of the oil.

However after chatting at length with the framer and conservator at The Lowry in Salford I have changed my mind. They glaze all of Lowry's oils as a matter of course using Museum AR glass, it is regarded by them at least, the best way to preserve the painting.

I still haven't glazed an oil and probably won't unless I could persuade the client to do so, (most of my gallery clients wouldn't hear of it ).

[Tudor Rose]

We have used Robo's line of "what would you rather clean?" with loads of customers, as he says you win some, you lose some, but it does get them thinking about glazing where maybe they wouldn't have done before. Looking at loads of old paintings in galleries/museums these days most seem to be glazed (or the Tudor ones I tend to look at are anyway).

[Not your average framer]

I've heard things said for and against glazing an oil painting, each quoting really knowledgable people. I have no idea which point of view is correct, but I can confirm that Robo is correct about outgassing creating a film on the glass.

[Roboframer]

If you offer the option to the customer and explain the pros and cons and they go for it - it's correct.

[prospero]

I'm sayin' nowt.

[IFGL]

we have glazed many., even sink mounted and used a card mount over the top, generally will just use a frame with a slip and the glass between the two.

[Not your average framer]

In the almost ten years that I've had the shop, I don't think I've ever been asked to glaze anymore than one, or two. Perhaps it is more popular elsewhere.

Come to think about it, the one that I actually remember anything about, was a deep box canvas and it was already framed, so I did not have the option of making the frame big enough for a liner and I quote a price for what was suposed to be an easy job and it took ages.

I didn't think it looked good with all that canvas hanging out the back of a totally unsuitable looking frame, but strangely enough the customer thought it looked great.

[easypopsgcf]

Done so many both with and without I could never keep count, I would say that barely a week goes by that I don't frame an oil with glass, and almost always the glass will go between slip and frame