Okay to put painting in bathroom?

[Rainygrrl]

Hi there,

I hope someone here can help. My husband and I are putting pictures on the walls of our new (to us!) house. We have a painting done by my stepson at least 10 years ago. It is either watercolor or tempura, and I don't know how to tell. It's not one of the world's great works of art, but we like it. It is framed and behind glass.

It would look great in our bathroom, but we like to take baths without the noise of the fan. My husband is worried that we'll ruin it if we hang it in there. Is he right?

Thanks in advance!

[Cathie Jones]

Not sure where else you'd hang this . . .



And there are several of us that painted these gorgous things (thank you Aunt Pearl!) . . .

I'd think it would be okay as long as it's not too close to a steamy shower . . . and you have it professionally framed behind plexiglass.

[Nandie]

I would say it depends entirely on how valuable this painting is to you. If you would be heart-broken to have it damaged by condensation that may creep under the glass, then DON'T put it in your bathroom. Personally, I would never hang a watercolor/tempura painting I cared about in a moist environment, no matter how tightly framed it is. Some people do.... but there is always a risk of water damage. But if you don't really care if the painting suffers damage or not, then the decision is up to you. Just my 2 cents (Canadian currency)

[JustjoGA]

My suggestion: Get a print made of it, frame that and hang it in
the bathroom... that way, even if it is somehow damaged, it's only
a print, not your original....

Jo in Georgia

[Rainygrrl]

Thanks everyone for your comments. I was hoping for a clear-cut answer, but oh well. At least our further discussions can be reality-based.

Cathie--I love Aunt Pearl's painting. How fun is that!

[Ottersong]

I have had one of my tulip watercolors hanging in my bathroom for at least five years if not longer. There is no damage to either the painting or the mat. We do not run the fan during bathing or showering but we do run it afterward as I don't want mildew, ugh, ugly stuff. I would say go ahead and hang it if it is not touching the glass.

Otter

[Rainygrrl]

Thanks for the input, Otter.

[seedy]

Hi.....
I have a wc painting that has been hanging in the bathroom for at least 10 years....Lots of baths and long showers.....no sign of a problem....
I once had paintings hanging in a restaurant. One of then was under a AC unit and water dripped in through the back.....Two hours in the sun still in the frame...just fine...
I would not hesitate...nice painting...

[droll13]

My $.02 worth...

Even though many folks (here and elsewhere) have reported no problems hanging artwork in the bathroom, if it were me I would not take the chance.

The extreme humidity poses a danger. Even if professionally framed and sealed carefully, you could likely get condensation either inside or outside the frame, and this could quickly ruin the work. I agree with Jo - have a quality print made and frame that.

BTW, have you considered this? Taking long, hot baths without the exhaust fan running could well lead to mold accumulating in the bathroom walls. That's a nasty situation that could cause chronic health complications. And once mold gets into the walls, it spreads and is very difficult (and rather expensive) to eradicate.

[laudesan]

Hmmmmmmmmmmm


If it were me I would do as Jo suggested, and get a print of it done on watercolour paper.

You could do this yourself if you have a good colour printer.

In fact printing paintings look great when they are printed out on wc paper..

Frame and hang that..

If in time it is o.k., then you know you can hang the original..

[juneto]

No,
Watercolor Paper is 100% Rag and eventually you will not have a Painting at all. It molds , It rots ,Etc. Just like a constantly wet rag, it will finally disintegrate. You won't see it coming.
June

[Rainygrrl]

Thanks everyone,

Lots of good ideas here. With my Dad visiting, a fairly sick cat, and my husband on a business trip, we haven't even discussed the topic again. But we will!

We haven't run into mold problems so far (knocking on wood ...), but that's a good point about potential health issues.

Would watercolor paper still disintegrate if it's in a dryer place? It sounds like fun to try printing on it.

Thanks again!!!

[drollere]

if the painting is framed and well sealed front and back, then i'd doubt that the transient humidity spike of a 5 minute shower once or twice a day would damage it. but a lot depends on the size of your bath and the heat of your water.

the key hazard is prolonged humidity that cannot be relieved by evaporation of excess moisture back into the atmosphere. this would happen, for example, if you were bonnard's mistress and had to be in a hot bath all day long. with the doors and windows closed.

however, if you are unsure of the media then you have to be unsure of the consequences, so erring on the side of caution is best.

[Uschi]

16 x 20 Watercolour in small, steamed up bathroom (showers) and no problem. I do open the door after a shower, never run the fan.
Uschi