Look up the code requirements for where you live - state, county and/or city. They are usually available on-line.

They may say OK, they may require it be exposed.

Paint it the same color as the wall and it will vanish.

I'm in NYC (as my user name indicates). Is there any chance someone knows the code? I can't imagine how long it would take me to look through it and recognize that one little point.

So long as the picture can be lifted and removed without tools, I can find no violation of the NEC. NYC codes?

I think NYC is full-on NEC.

Thanks, bus_driver.

If I wanted to look myself to check, can you suggest what section of the code I should look in? Or a term to search on?

Realistically, as long as you have ready access to it, I don't see the problem. You know where the panel is, and, in case of a fire, the firemen are not going to be running around inside looking for a breaker box anyway. I'm very safety conscious, but I've got mine covered with a picture and I don't consider it a risk. It's not like the code folks are going to be knocking on my door to make sure that my panel is in plain sight.

It's a problem when people do stuff like put a cabinet or a freezer in front of it so that there's not ready access. If you do decide to hang a picture, just make sure you don't drive a nail into one of the many cables that are in the wall and may be in close proximity to the back of the sheetrock.

If you are still not comfortable doing this, call your local permitting authority.

Good reminder about the nail--thanks! If I do this, I think I'll stick w/ a Command hook--or maybe Command velcro-like picture-handing strips, so that the canvas isn't dangling.

How can there be anything in building code about temporary coverings? I don't understand the question. You are not permanently covering something.

Building code can for example preclude an outlet from being in a shower, but it can't stop you from running an extension cord into the shower if you're stupid enough to do so....