Relining Outsize Paintings

Abstract

FROM time to time restorers are confronted with the necessity for relining very large paintings. This is an event that is terrifying to contemplate, that conjures up visions of hours spent on one's knees-cleaning, ironing, and stretching the outsize canvasses. But what is there to be done? Relining is very often the only way to save the painting from complete decay. About two years ago, I had occasion to reline a painting of considerable value, 3 X 4 m in size. The painting had been rolled for transportation, and arrived in such a state that we almost despaired of ever straightening it out. The damage need not be described here. Let it suffice that it appeared impossible to get the paint-surface flat again by ironing, which in any case may be detrimental to a painting. We decided to attempt using vacuum pressure on the painting, despite its large size. The results were so encouraging that I have since relined several large paintings in the same manner with perfect success.

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