Temperature, humidity, light: the data that save artworks
Temperature, RH, lux and UV dataloggers installed at strategic points of exhibition halls, storage rooms and display cases. Quarterly reporting with graphs, peaks, alerts and preventive conservation recommendations.
"Masterpieces like Botticelli's Primavera (Uffizi, c. 1480) survive five centuries only if the surrounding environment is constantly controlled: temperature, humidity, light, air quality."
What it is
Microclimate is the set of environmental parameters (temperature, RH, illuminance, air exchange, air quality) inside an exhibition room, storage, display case, vault.
Wrong values or excessive fluctuations are the leading cause of biological degradation (moulds, bacteria, wood-borers) and physical-chemical (cracks, decohesion, yellowing). Continuous monitoring allows intervention before visible damage.
References
• UNI 10829:1999 – Historic-artistic heritage: environmental conservation conditions.
• UNI 11717:2018 – Guidelines for microclimate measurement and evaluation.
• Typical target values: T 18-22 °C, RH 45-60% (varies by material), illuminance ≤ 50 lux for light-sensitive artworks, UV < 75 µW/lumen.
Data required by: museum loans (loan agreement), insurance for artwork policies, Superintendencies for temporary exhibition authorisations, ISO 9001 certifications for museum institutions.
Who needs it
Museums and galleries (exhibition rooms, storage), archives and libraries (storage, reading rooms), churches, convents and cathedrals (presbyteries, chapels, parish archives), historic residences open to public, private collectors with valuable artworks, bank foundations custodian of art collections.
Mandatory for: receiving artwork loans from other museums (standard in loan agreements), organising temporary exhibitions with listed artworks, all-risk policies for important private collections.
Our approach
Annual contract with two formulas:
A) Passive monitoring – standalone datalogger, data collected every 3 months, quarterly preventive conservation report. Suitable for storage and stable collections.
B) Active monitoring + real-time alert – probes with wireless module and online portal connection. Configurable thresholds. SMS/email alerts to curator when parameters exceed limits. Suitable for public exhibition rooms, fragile artwork display cases, loan rooms.
Loan diary balancing: we manage preventive conservation documentation required by lending museums, in international standard format (ICOM, AAM).
For critical values: emergency intervention within 24h (temporary humidifiers/dehumidifiers, sealing, emergency survey).
Want to be compliant without worries?
Free site visit, transparent quote within 48 working hours, ongoing support with digital deadline tracker.
● Consultation request
Let's talk.
Fill in the form: a technician will get back to you within 24 working hours with an initial assessment and an indicative quote.
Via degli Artigiani 27
Via degli Artigiani 27 — 50055 Lastra a Signa (FI), Italy
