How Light Affects Framed Artwork In this infographic, we explain how light can change the way the artwork underneath glazing can look, depending on the type of glass or acrylic.

When you frame a piece of artwork or a photograph, you expect to see the image as it is—but this is often not the case, as the picture framing glass that protects the artwork can also distort and dull it. We actually never see framed art as it truly is because, when using regular clear glass, what we actually see is the light that is reflected from it. Of the incoming light passing through the glass, 2 percent is absorbed by the glass and 8 percent is reflected away from it, which results in glare. For outgoing light, the same is true; this means that we retain only 80 percent of the image’s clarity when using clear glass to frame a photo or artwork. Using specially made art glass, however, these effects can be greatly reduced. Art glass, with its non-organic materials and low-iron properties, does not distort colors. Using art glass will also result in a 99 percent illuminated image and less than 1 percent glare, allowing you to enjoy your artwork the way it was meant to be seen—in full clarity.