Increasing the joy of art via visual comfort
Light for pictures: Museum angle
Angle of incidence <30°
An angle of incidence significantly less than 30° causes extreme shadowing on exhibits. Textures caused by brushstrokes or reliefs often appear exaggerated and shadowing is possible from picture frames. Despite the steep angle of incidence and high illuminance, only a low impression of brightness is created on the picture surface.
Angle of incidence = 30°
A 30° angle of incidence is judged to be ideal for the accent lighting of pictures. Experts term this angle the museum angle. High, uniform brightness is generated on the picture surface, and textures – caused by prominent brushwork or reliefs for example – gain good modelling. The 30° angle of incidence also avoids glare for observers created by reflections on pictures protected by glass.
Angle of incidence >30°
An angle of incidence more than 30° is disadvantageous with pictures because observers cast shadows on the artwork and reflected glare on glass-protected or shiny exhibits dominates the image information. With such angles of incidence insufficient modelling with light and shadow, especially with reliefs, is the result.
