Fluorescents are not recommended for lighting artwork. Fixture Styles Picture lights hang directly over a painting or are attached to the frame. Both traditional and slimline picture lights use incandescent lightbulbs, and some are battery-powered. Mantel lights and spotlights are placed in front of the artwork and usually sit on a mantel or a shelf. They light the artwork from the bottom and are less noticeable than a picture light.
Track lighting is the most flexible way to light art.
A track can hold several lights. Track lighting can be used to light a wall evenly from floor to ceiling or to accent one or more pieces of art. 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.