Removing glare from artwork behind glass can be a challenge with any art light. If you’re having trouble with glare on glass-covered artwork see below:
1) Install the light as high as possible relative to your artwork. It’s a matter of angles: your viewing height, the height of the artwork, and the height of the light. Moving the light higher or changing the height of your painting will allow you to“move” where the glare shows up. By changing the relative angles, the glare can be moved on to the frame (less reflective than glass) or wall. To understand, try this: Take a few steps towards and away from your artwork while looking at the glare. This will give you a sense of how it changes relative to viewing angles and height. You will, unfortunately, experience this with all artwork mounted lights.
2) Use the light as an uplight. All of our products with the exception of the Rechargeable Micro Series (due to how it’s mounted) can be used as uplights. Installation is identical except the fixture is attached to the bottom of the artwork. By changing the location of the light and consequently, the direction the light is emitted, we’re often able to eliminate glare.
3) Remove the glass. There are low glare glasses made (Museum Glass, etc.) that help cut down on reflection but that’s mainly for ambient lighting glare (reflections of people, furnishings, etc. from ambient light). It’s a matter of shining light directly at a reflective surface. No matter what, some of that light will reflect.
At the end of the day, it’s often a matter of compromise: have your artwork illuminated and experience a small amount of glare at the top or do not illuminate it at all.
Anti-glare Louvers.
Don’t be confused by “anti-glare louvers” offered by some companies. This term does not refer to glare in the artwork or glass but instead, a person’s ability to directly see the light as it’s emitted from the fixture. A properly designed picture light should have this taken into account without it being termed a feature. A confusing use of terminology nevertheless.