Natural fixing agents were sometimes used from the 19th century onwards, but generally antique pastels, charcoals and chalks have no protective layer.
Today, various options are available for fixing pastels in place, but these are not recommended for an attempt at home and will not be used during conservation treatment, as they can darken and disturb the artwork over time. Instead, conservation-approved framing options are recommended.
Conservation framing
Our specialist technicians offer frames appropriate for the ongoing protection of artworks, this includes acid-free mounts and backing boards.
A deep mount is required when choosing a frame for chalk, charcoal or pastel artworks. This ensures that the picture is unable to rub against the glass or any surrounding elements.
All protective aspects will be carefully considered by our knowledgeable conservators and framing specialists when your pastel, chalk or charcoal artwork is framed.
UV protection
Our framing team recommend UV protective glazing to avoid the disturbance or fading of pigments in bright display locations. This is important for pastel artworks that may have light-sensitive pigments.