Frequently Asked Questions

Should I have my painting cleaned?

Cleaning the painting allows the colors and details of the artwork to be seen and appreciated the way the artist originally intended them to look. People may ask – But aren’t you destroying the patina of the painting by cleaning it? When people refer to patina they are often talking about the “golden glow”, the look of yellowed varnish over a painting as well as the dirt that gradually over time becomes ingrained in the paint, thus clouding the details and dulling the colors. In oil paintings, “true patina” refers to the progressive darkening of the paint caused by the oil it contains (linseed oil most often but poppy and walnut were also used) and also the craquelure, a fine network of cracks that develops over time in a painting. This can certainly not be taken away from a painting during cleaning. An old painting conveys something of the personality of the painter and to bring these out to the fullest is more important than to preserve accretions of dirt and varnish. The true patina, the craquelure and darkening of the paint will be preserved when correctly cleaned.

Partial sky cleaning Finished Painting

Boats on Raritan Bay
Arthur Quartley 1880
Oil on canvas

What is lining?

Lining a painting refers to applying a new canvas support to the back of a stretched canvas painting. Reasons that this type of treatment might be needed are; the canvas is weak or rotting from age, there are deep or raised cracks in the paint which detract from the overall image, paint is lifting or flaking off, particles of paint are missing or tears that are too large or numerous to be patched.

In lining a painting, a wax/resin is heated and applied to the back of the original canvas. This acts to stabilize any loose paint and prevents any future losses. It also flattens and strengthens the canvas so it can be restretched. In some cases a tear can be patched but in the case of a tear that is greater than 2-3 inches, there is a good chance that in time the patch will show as a raised area from the front. Therefore lining the painting is a better way to go.

Relining is the same procedure as lining, only it refers to a painting that had been previously lined. Any previous linings must be removed before a painting can be lined.

What is edge lining?

If the canvas is of good strength but weak or splitting along the tacking edge, then a strip of fabric can be adhered to the inside edge and the canvas restretched.

What is reversibility?

Reversibility refers to conservation work that does not permanently alter the artwork. It is important that any repairs performed can be removed or “reversed’ at any point in the future.

What are condition reports?

Condition reports are written reports with photographs which document the condition the artwork was in at the time of the initial examination. The recommended treatment is discussed and if it is decided to proceed the report documents the treatment as it progresses to completion.