Recessed lights lie flush with the ceiling and are very subtle, but they have a limited range of movement. Recessed lighting is commonly found in newer homes, installed when the homes are built. Position and Intensity of the Light Reduce Glare Place the light at a 30-degree angle to the work of art to minimize glare. Add 5 degrees to the angle for a larger frame, to avoid casting a shadow. Subtract 5 degrees from the position to accent the texture of a painting.
Heat can crack oil paintings.
Take special care when using hot halogen lights. To test the heat from your lights, put your hand between the art and the light source. If you can feel heat from the light, it could potentially damage an oil painting. The general rule for accenting a piece of art is to light it three times brighter than the rest of the room. If recessed lights are not adequately lighting your artwork, you may be able to solve the problem simply by adjusting the angle of the light or changing the bulb in order to achieve the desired effect.