Accent Lighting Fixtures Create Mood and Clarity in Art Museums and Galleries

Art galleries and museums hold a cornucopia of the world’s most beautiful and unusual treasures. They can be the source of inspiration or respite on a dreary day. The interior design of a gallery is specifically dependent on the story the curator wants to tell and the traffic flow. Ambient daylight and artificial light play a central role in highlighting paintings, sculptures, photographs, and artifacts to accentuate the important and sometimes tiny details. It also can be used to point patrons’ eyes where the curator wants them to focus.

Energy-efficient LED lighting is an excellent choice to illuminate artwork and sculptures. The technology offers an excellent quality of light, top Color Rendering Index (CRI), and a range of color temperatures with dimming and other controls. The working life of an LED luminaire is up to 50,000 hours. And they emit no damaging UV or IR radiation and produce less heat than any other option, thereby protecting the artwork from degradation.

Wall Washing, Linear Accent and Spotlighting Fixtures Move Eyes and Create Mood

Function and form direct what type of LED luminaire will be appropriate in an art gallery or museum. Many techniques can be used to accentuate each piece of art, such as wall wash lighting or spotlighting. However, the gallery design as a whole requires lighting to guide visitors and set the mood.

Linear accent lights enhance and improve functionality to reflect the gallery’s purpose. It is also highlight lighting and is typically focused light three times brighter than the room’s ambient light. Linear accent lights draw attention to a point of interest, such as a work of art or architectural element, or create a special effect. Typical forms of accent lighting include recessed or surface mount adjustable fixtures or track lighting, wall grazing, and wall washing.

The next time you have a chance to be inspired by art, observe the gallery as a whole and appreciate the designer’s intention. Chances are linear accent lighting plays a major role in the aesthetic.