A helpful chart to help determine what is the best lighting system for Art

Simple and easy. Ordered by the medium. Click to browse picture lights and track lighting systems.

Art Medium	Recommended Lighting Solution
Oil Painting	This can be difficult to light because of the highlights that are created when intense light is directed at the painting. A broad-based light source is best. Many museums and galleries use a large-bulb track lighting system set a few feet away to illuminate oil paintings.
Acrylic Painting	Acrylic paints do not have the luminescent qualities of oil paints and therefore, no glare. You can use any lighting system for acrylic surfaces.
Glass-protected Art	Like oil paintings, there will be glare under intense, direct lighting. You will have to experiment with indirect lighting, frosted light bulbs or go with glass that has a non-glare coating.
Sculpture	Sculpture is ideally lit from three different angles. Most sculpture, however, are lit by a single light directly above the piece, generally a recessed light.
Framed Art	A piece of art or wall sculpture that does not have a frame can be illuminated with lighting not attached to the artwork, such as a mantel light, spotlight, track light or recessed light. But if there is a substantial frame around the artwork, it maybe be able to support a picture light. Picture lights are generally attached to the frame or hang right over the image. They are about 3" in diameter and they offer a more direct light. So it's probably good for acrylics or matte surfaces.

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