Light for sculptures: museum angle

The 30° museum angle: perfect lighting for the rich-contrast showcasing of sculptures

Angle of incidence <30°

An angle of incidence significantly less than 30° causes extreme shadowing on exhibits. Textures appear exaggerated because of the shadowing. With protruding elements, large areas of the sculpture lie in shadow. Despite the steep angle of incidence and high illuminance, only a low impression of brightness is created on the vertical surfaces.

Angle of incidence = 30°

An angle of incidence of 30° with accent lighting is judged to be ideal with sculptures and is known as the museum angle by experts. This creates a high, uniform distribution of brightness on horizontal and vertical surfaces. Form and texture are given good modelling via light and shadow. The 30° angle of incidence avoids glare on vertical surfaces for observers caused by reflection on shiny surfaces.

Angle of incidence >30°

An angle of incidence significantly more than 30° is disadvantageous for sculptures because hardly any modelling is created with light and shadow. Also, the probability increases that the observer casts shadows onto the exhibit. Reflected glare is also a risk on shiny surfaces. If luminaires are arranged behind the exhibit and targeted towards it, unpleasant direct glare is also added to the reflected glare.