Hi annmarie,
annmarie wrote:So what do you think of the portrait?? We're unsure as to how best to take care of it. It seems a shame to put a frame on it, but probably glass would protect it. It's acrylic on canvas, so not really meant for glass.
Anne
The artist has done a great job. I do portraits of Leonard as well and am an art consultant and art teacher. I also deal everyday with framing artworks.
I just have to tell you this. Please DO NOT put it under glass - you are wise to say that. Glass won't protect it - it will destroy it! Mould will grow on it and the paint will fume and bloom when it is trapped behind glass. The only way to protect it is to apply a varnish to it. Matte varnish will give it a flat non-reflective look, satin will appear about the same as you are looking at it right now, and gloss will bring out some of the colours and give a slightly darker obviously glossy look. This needs to be done no sooner than three to six months from when it was finished. How thick or thin the paint has been applied is the reason for the variance in time and some pigments dry fast, some slower. I can't see the back of it but I'm assuming that it is on stretcher bars. You can then attach a frame to that. Take it to a reputable framer and they should know all this. Generally speaking all acrylics and oils if they are painted on loose canvas need to be put onto stretcher bars or mounted down flat with acid-free material and onto an acid-free surface eg foamcore board, varnished and have a frame attached. Having said that, I know that it is possible to put them behind museum glass with an air spacer but this has to be monitered consistently so the above doesn't happen. The climate they are stored in also makes a difference as to maintance. Hope this will help you.
Bev
Taking another look at the portrait - it really doesn't need a frame because it has a modern look but as always it is a matter of taste. A deep rebate unobtrusive modern one to encase the edge of the stretcher bar and create a shadow look between the painting and the frame would work well.
! I can't wait to see it 
!
