39 Famous And Culturally Significant Paintings That Are Kept In The Most Surprising Places

You might be surprised to know that only a tiny fraction of the world's art masterpieces are on display for the public to enjoy. Many museums keep their most precious pieces safely locked away. The Louvre, for example, displays only 8% of its massive collection, with other museums hanging even fewer.

A survey by Quartz found that museums and galleries lock away a lot of their prized art, with paintings by Paul Cézanne and Claude Monet being the least likely to be hidden.

According to Quartz, other artists like the Austrian, Schiele remain largely unseen. "He did not have a single work on display despite 7 different museums holding a total of 53 of his figurative renderings," reveals the publication.

So why are we not seeing everything? Space is a big reason, according to Frame Destination, "There is simply not enough room to hang thousands (or even millions) of pieces of art in one building," notes that site. "Another reason is the concern for the condition of the pieces themselves: some artwork is just too old, too delicate and too valuable to risk the damage of displaying them."

As you can imagine, preserving and securing expensive, famous art takes a lot of effort - and money. Besides worrying about the masterpieces being stolen, there's the risk of them being damaged by environmental factors or age.

Much of the world's famous art is kept in climate-controlled environments. Temperature and humidity levels around them are closely monitored to prevent any damage from moisture or extreme temperatures.

Paintings on canvas are especially sensitive to these conditions. Too much humidity and the art gets warped and starts to crack. Not enough humidity and the paint becomes brittle and flaky. Museums spend a load of money making sure that the masterpieces are kept in just the right environment to last for hundreds of years.

Of course, there's also the issue of dust and dirt.... So museums and galleries invest heavily in conservation and cleaning to ensure the longevity of their artworks. This might include specialized wiping down, repairing any damage, or even restoring a piece to its original state, depending on what's needed.

"They can use techniques like sandblasting to restore arts and sculptures by gently removing layers of dirt and grime without damaging the underlying surface of the artwork," notes cosmobc.com. "For more delicate pieces, conservationists may use a process called consolidation, which involves applying a special adhesive to stabilize and protect fragile materials."

Museums also operate with a "prevention is better than cure" mindset. And regularly check for signs of wear and tear, or pests that may cause damage. Before they become a problem that can't be fixed.

Ever seen pics of people touching a masterpiece like the Mona Lisa? Probably not. That's because grubby paw-prints don't do much to help keep a masterpiece in tip-top condition.

"Oils from our skin and other contaminants can easily transfer onto the surface of an artwork and cause damage over time," explains the site. "The less touching and exposure to outside elements, the better chance a piece has at staying intact."

Some galleries or museums will merely display a sign reminding visitors not to touch the art. But others go the extra mile... keeping their prized possessions behind barriers to prevent unwanted physical touch. The Mona Lisa, for example, is kept behind bulletproof glass.

The world's most famous painting has suffered several attacks over the years, forcing authorities to step up security around the enigmatic smile. In 2024, environmentalists threw soup at The Mona Lisa, but the glass helped her save face.

While your own artwork might not be as valuable and pricey as the Mona Lisa, experts advise that you treat it with great care. Treat your home like a museum, suggests Frame Destination.

While that gorgeous painting might look amazing hung over a fireplace, you're actually making a huge mistake. "Especially if it’s a wood-burning fireplace and the artwork has no glazing," notes the site.

"Heat can dry out artwork, soften paint and attract dust and grime; with wood-burning fireplaces, the rising soot and smoke can cause even further damage," it explains. "Ensure artwork is hung away from heating vents or air conditioning units as well — museums’ storage facilities are always temperature controlled."

Loving the way the sunlight hits your art? You might want to rethink its positioning. "Homes that get tons of sunlight are desirable, but not for artwork," warns the site. "Museums have far fewer windows in their galleries (and sometimes none at all) to minimize exposure to harmful UV light. While you can purchase UV-filter glass or acrylic glazing, not everyone knows what type of glazing is in existing frames or feel the need to purchase specialty glazing."

Rather hang picture frames in areas that receive no direct sunlight, or hang only easily reproducible work in rooms with lots of natural light, say the experts.

The experts also advise rotating your art pieces, perhaps bringing some out from storage for a few months, and changing what's displayed based on the season or a theme.

But when it comes to the unhung pieces, you need to be equally cautious. If not more. "Choose your storage space wisely when putting artwork away for any period of time," warns Frame Destination.

"Basements, attics, and garages are the main storage spaces for most homes, but they are less likely to be insulated or temperature controlled," adds the site. "The extreme fluctuations in temperature and humidity may cause more damage than constant display in sunlight."