Microclimate vitrines for panel paintings

Since the early 1990's many panel paintings, when traveling to
exhibitions, have been placed in micro-climate vitrines. For many
institutions this has become the norm. Different types of vitrines
have been used, produced either in-house or bought from a commercial
manufacturer, that are incorporated into normal framing. I am
interested in knowing  to what degree the different types of
vitrines have and are being used.

If you or your institute make use of microclimate vitrines for
displaying panel paintings, either for travel or for general
display, could you take a minute to answer the following:

What sort micro-climate vitrine do you use?

    An individually fitted sealed box that houses the painting and
    fits into the picture frame?

    A framing system that utilizes the frame itself as the
    micro-climate housing and seals the painting in the frame?

    A micro-climate package that utilizes the glazing and attached
    laminated plastic to wrap the painting in a sealed package that
    then fits into the picture frame?

    Another configuration of glazing and sealing the picture?

I will be appreciative of any and all responses, and if possible
with a short description, reason and frequency for use, and any
comments regarding the pros and cons of use.

Laurent Sozzani
Senior Paintings Restorer
Paintings Restoration Department
Rijksmuseum Amsterdam - Atelier Gebouw
Hobbemastraat 22
1071 ZC Amsterdam
The Netherlands
+31 20 6747294
Fax: +31 20 6747001


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 22:55
                  Distributed: Friday, March 27, 2009
                       Message Id: cdl-22-55-017
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