ArtCorner

About the Author: Amitai Sasson

Amitai Sasson, of overstockArt.com is a renowned world traveler on a mission to seek out the beauty and passion of the art world. As an avid enthusiast of art and oil paintings, he contributes greatly to the industry with his writing.

See all posts by Amitai Sasson

• Amitai Sasson
  It depends on how high the ceiling is, and what looks good. Just make sure it's high enough so that if you place objects on the mantle, they don't block the painting.
  
  It really just depends on what looks good. You want it to be high enough that when you are standing across the room, the mantel doesn't block off the bottom of the painting.
  
  I think maybe 6 inches or so would be ok, but it's really hard to say without seeing the room.
  
  Now, if you're asking about if the painting will be safe and might crack from the fireplace, then if the fire place is operational i don't think i would put a valuable painting above it. it depends if the smoke comes in touch with the oil and heat levels it creates...
• Bob Smith
  How high above the fire place mantel should a large oil painting be placed?
• theresa j. pollard
  I have 75/l00 yrs old oil painting hanging over fireplace which is used in the winter quite a lot, should i be concerned about cracking and if so what can I do without hanging it somewhere else? Any help would be appreciated. thank you Mrs. P.