We have a 4x6 foot oil painting, weighing probably around 30-35 lbs. We want to hang it on our fireplace. We had a less-heavy one there that I hung by driving in a masonry nail, but I hate to use those any more. Hard to get out, and usually leaves an ugly hole.
There is no picture molding on top, so can’t run a wire down.
There is a woodem frame, so don’t need picture wire to hang on the back. I just used two heavy-duty picture hooks where it now resides on wallboard.
I saw that 3M has a clever stick-on hanger that leaves no residue when removed, but it only holds five pounds maximum. Googling did not come up with anything that would work for such a large and heavy painting.
We have a huge honkin’ mirror in a big ornate frame hanging above our fireplace. It weighs at least 30-35 lbs. It is hanging on two heavy-duty picture hangers put in with wall anchors.
I recommend using picture wire. The wire rests down into the crook of the picture hook, making it far less likely that something will jar it off the wall. If you’re adding wire to the back of the picture, put it high up on the frame. That will make it less likely that the picture will hang with the top tipping away from the wall.
I have a couple of metal wall hangings that weigh about 35# and used Hercules hooks
They were advertised by Billy Mays and they worked GREAT - no tools needed and just a pin hole in the drywall
Is the wall brick? If so, is there enough depth in the mortar to accommodate these (second one down)?
If not, these hangers don’t leave much evidence behind, but they might not hold the weight. You might need these, which may leave a mark, but not a giant hole.
A local picture frame shop should have some good ideas.
Thanks for the links, a couple look very good. I forgot to mention that the wall is concrete block, and no way to see were the grout lines are between them, as there is plaster on top.
I struck out at a hardware store and at Home Depot, but the suggestion of a frame shope makes sense. That will be my next stop.
One of my paintings is comprised of four interconnected triangular canvases, and the total area is about 10’ wide x 5’ high. It was to go on a very high concrete block wall. What we finally decided on was to suspend it from the ceiling, a few inches in front of the wall. And the separation gives it a more dramatic effect than if it were flush.
I use masonry anchors and screws. You can get 'em at Lowe’s or Home Depot or any decent hardware store; the anchors come in a package with matching screws. Drill a hole into the brick/block (you’ll need a masonry bit) deep enough for the anchor, push the anchor into the hole (tap it in the last little way with a hammer), screw the screw into the anchor.
On another note, however, be aware that hanging over a woodburning fireplace is very bad for an oil painting. Smoke and gas from burning wood does the painting no good, and they can be difficult to clean properly. If it’s a gas log fireplace that’s probably not as bad, but over the years there will still be some effect on the painting from fumes and heat.
I just moved into an apartment with horrible ugly brick walls and I have been using tons of these things: “hardwall picture hangers” if you search it in amazon. there are some that should handle that weight.
I think that’s what CWN did. Have a couple people over and ply them with bagels while they stand and hold up the painting. Or maybe threatened them with it?
