Gallery lighting solutions

LED lighting options for galleries

LED lighting options for galleries include picture lights, downlights, wall washers, surface spotlighting, and track lighting.

Picture lights for galleries

Picture lights are the traditional wall-mounted lights typically used for paintings, photographs and other pictures.

Downlights for galleries

Adjustable downlights are mounted in the ceiling and have an adjustable beam angle.

Wall washers for galleries

Wall washers are mounted in the ceiling with the beam directed at the wall to highlight larger pieces of art or multiple artworks.

Surface spotlights for galleries

Surface spotlights with a miniature zoom lens are suitable for a wide range of display applications.

Track lighting for galleries

Track lighting systems are used to position spotlights in galleries. The placement, beam direction and specification of the spotlights can be adjusted to allow for exhibition changes.

How to light sculptures vs paintings

Sculptures are three dimensional and paintings are two dimensional, so they require different approaches to lighting.

Lighting for sculptures should highlight texture, form and volume. Lighting for paintings should accentuate colour and clarity.

To create shadows that define the contours and surfaces of sculptures it may be necessary to use multiple light sources. A 30° angle of incidence will balance the distribution of light and shadow to highlight form and texture. Each material (marble/bronze/metal etc) will also respond differently to light, so colour temperatures will need to be adjusted.

For paintings, the light source should be positioned to avoid reflections and glare. Shadows can be avoided by ensuring an even distribution of light across the entire painting. UV exposure should be minimised to prevent damage, and for authentic colour rendering a colour temperature of between 2700K and 3500K is recommended.

Dimmable lighting for flexible exhibition spaces

LED fixtures with dimming controls provide flexibility in exhibition spaces. They allow for swift exhibition changes, and for consistency in the presentation of artwork and sculptures at different times of the day or year.

Dimming controls can be manual or automated, allowing exhibition teams to decide how much hands-on control they need for each display.