Fine Art Display Background Color in Black or White

This question I've pondered every so often, especially when I'm working on my website revisions. On the web which color of background, black or white, displays fine art paintings best?

My dilemna is that I really like how colors, my personal passion, "pop" out lovely on a black or dark background. However, having shown my watercolors in art competitions and galleries, the recommended "rule" was to frame watercolors with white or light color mats. And those watercolors really, really looked fresh and clear.

I did some reference work today on text contrast colors for web pages while I'm working on my website revisions. There's no consistent do or don't on this. I was surprised that there weren't many comments about the readability for people's eyesight. What makes your eyes more tired: white print on black or black lettering on white background as you look at your monitor scene?

No definitive answers, so I've changed my background to black on FAA today to see if I like it. On my website, www.kjoannrussell.com, I use a soft gray green as background except for sections of white where the art is displayed. On FAA, the choice is: black or white. Do you like it?