Framing Oil Paintings?

[Brenda Osborne]

I have decided to frame an oil painting and put it behind glass, I would appreciate some advice from members whether I should still varnish said painting.  I intend to have a mount put around the picture to keep it off of the glass, would appreciate any comments on this.... Cheers Brenda

[Lynley van Alphen]

Why do you want to put it behind glass? If it is a recently painted piece you could be asking for trouble if it is not completely dry. Just a good varnish should suffice for protection. Personally I would not put an oil painting behind glass, others in the forum might have different ideas.See what other folk have to say.

[Jane K. Slater]

not sure why you did to put an oil painting behind glass.  Is it on paper?

[Stuart J. Gourlay]

Brenda, the main reason to varnish an oil painting is to protect the paint film from airborne contaminants and mechanical trauma (scratches). A secondary reason is to impart a uniform gloss. Most museums do not frame oils unless they are very old with a fragile paint film that needs protection. If you are going to use glass, you don't need much protection for the paint film. If you want to even out the gloss without varnishing you can "oil out" the surface by applying a thin layer of medium or just oil on the dry surface and wipe it off after 10 to 15 minutes with a cloth or paper towel. The oil soaks into the surface and gives a more uniform appearance. For a more matte finish waxes can be used instead of or combined with the oil. Gamblin has some very useful information on surface finish of oil paintings in their "Studio Notes" at www.gamblincolor.com.

[Brenda Osborne]

Thanks Stuart for all your information, it was very helpful, I printed off what you said for future references.  In the end I decided not to use glass and I varnished the painting instead, and it is now at the framers.  Apparently more and more people are getting paintings put behind glass, and provided they have a mount around the area to keep it off the glass, it is ok according to the framer. Obviously cost would come into the equation also re: varnish, frame versus glass and frame. Thanks again for your help, much appreciated.  Cheers to you