Dessau 12 Bauhaus Picture Light by Sean Lavin for Visual Comfort
Dessau 12 Bauhaus Picture Light by Sean Lavin for Visual Comfort
$679.00
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Dessau 12 is a crisp, bright picture light with Bauhaus discipline.
The Design Story
Sean Lavin reduced the picture light to a clean arm and bar.
It mounts above the art and lights it brightly.
Why You'll Love It
It gives art gallery-strength light without fuss.
Made for Real Life
There are no bulbs to change: the LED is built in. Aim it once and it simply makes the art glow. A dry cloth keeps it looking new.
Product Details
| Designer | Sean Lavin |
|---|---|
| Brand | Visual Comfort & Co. — Modern Collection |
| Model | Dessau 12 |
| Finish options | Nightshade Black · Dark Bronze · Natural Brass · Polished Nickel |
| Size | 12.8″ long, 8.6″ off the wall (32.5 cm) |
| Made of | Aluminum or brass |
| Light | Built-in LED, 553 lumens |
| Light color | 3000K, 90 CRI |
| Dimmer | ELV or TRIAC (120V), 0-10V (277V) |
| Power | 120V or 277V, your choice |
| Where it can go | Indoors, including steamy bathrooms |
| LED lifetime | 50,000 hours to L70 |
| Warranty | 5 years |
| Visual Comfort item no. | 700DES12 + finish/option code (8 versions) |
Where It Shines
Over paintings, prints, mirrors and in commercial spaces. Explore the family: Dessau 18, Dessau 24, Dessau 36 and Dessau 8.
Sizing & Installation
A picture light should feel made for the frame. For the Dessau 12:
| Art width | 26–38″ |
|---|---|
| Height | 2–6″ above the frame |
| Reach | 8.6″ off the wall |
| Power | hardwired |
| Voltage | 120V or 277V |
Our rule of thumb; installation is hardwired, so book an electrician.
Downloads from Visual Comfort:
- Specification sheet
- Install instructions
- Full-scale paper template – tape it up to check the size in your room
- Photometrics (IES)
- BIM model for Revit
Questions We Hear Most
What is the idea behind the Dessau 12?
Sean Lavin designed it so that it is a crisp, bright picture light with Bauhaus discipline. It gives art gallery-strength light without fuss.
Which Dessau 12 finish works with my palette?
Our take: black gives a crisp, graphic outline; brass brings warmth to wood and earthy tones; nickel feels bright and luminous; bronze is rich and moody.
Which painting size is the Dessau 12 made for?
Frames roughly 26–38″ wide: a picture light looks best at about a third to a half of the art's width.
Will the Dessau 12 light the whole canvas?
On art up to about 38″ wide, yes; for very tall canvases, add a ceiling accent light.
Is the Dessau 12 kind to artwork?
LEDs give off very little heat or UV compared with old halogen picture lights (general LED behaviour), and 90 CRI shows colors truly.
Does the Dessau 12 plug in or need an electrician?
It is hardwired to a junction box, so book an electrician.
Can the Dessau 12 hang over a mirror or bookcase?
Yes. It works just as well over a mirror, a bookcase or a framed photo as over a painting.
How soon can the Dessau 12 arrive?
All the versions we offer are in stock right now, and in-stock pieces usually leave within 2–3 business days.
Why We Love It
Dessau is the gallery light, made modern.
Working on a project? Designers and architects can open a LoftModern trade account for trade pricing and specification help.
Shipping Info
| Processing Time | In-stock pieces ship out in 2–3 business days. |
|---|---|
| Ships From | United States |
| Shipping | Ground shipping is free on orders of $100 or more within the lower 48 states. |
| Returns | Final sale. Tell us about any transit damage within 2 days of delivery. |
Shipping & Returns
Free Shipping within the U.S. for orders over $100.
Because many of our pieces are made to order or specially sourced, most items are considered final sale.
What are the items you could return?
1. Items received damaged or broken
2. Incorrect items that were shipped
3. Defective items
A replacement will be shipped right away.
Looking to save more? Ask us for a discount—we're happy to work with your budget.
We're happy to help with product questions, quotes, lead times, trade orders and design advice. Send us a message with the form below, or reach us directly:
Phone: (866) 817-1878
Email: info@loftmodern.com
Address: LoftModern, a division of Modern Design Center, Inc., 337 N Vineyard Ave, Ontario, CA 91764, USA
We reply to messages within one business day. For damaged or incorrect items, please see our Return and refund policy. Interior designers and trade professionals can apply for a trade account.
Give us your space goals—we’ll suggest the perfect piece.
Not sure where to begin or which piece is right for your space? We’re here to help! Whether you need layout ideas, color pairing tips, or a second opinion before you hit “add to cart,” our design team is happy to offer guidance tailored to your style, needs, and home.