When does one start lining paintings?
painting the painting under low pressure: mistlining
The term ‘llining paintings’ stands for adding extra ‘textile support’ behind a painting. Of course only if the original carrier is too weak to support the paint layer. But also if the carrier is seriously damaged. When covering a painting, a second canvas is glued behind the original canvas. This can be done with a cold treatment or a warm treatment. Special restoration products are used for this.
Mist lining
cold lining
One of the cold lining paintings treatments is called ‘mist lining’. A mist of glue is sprayed on the lining canvas. This method provides minimal gluing and is primarily intended as support.
For more details see page mist lining for low pressure doublage
Strip lining
However, there is also an option for strip lining. This strip lining is applied when the tacking margins are damaged. But even if these tacking margins are too short to re-stretch the linen. An adaption of the margins are used.
strip-linging performed with BEVA film
Adding a second canvas or removing the original canvas?
However, the term ‘lining’ is often missinterpretted to by non-conservators. They think we remove the original canvas and replace it by a new canvas. This treatment was indeed executed in the past. Fortunately, this radical treatment is no longer used today. For the painting below, a lining will most likely be the only possible option.
painting restoration
