Cracked Surface Issue.

[DVieau2]

I'm not even sure what I've got. If I had to guess its a print, hand emblished, laminated or gelled and mounted onto canvas. Size of the image is 40 x 40

Customer unrolled it from the tube and the surface is cracked in a couple of places.

Anything I can do to mitigate the damage?

Customers first desire is to stretch but I'm afraid any pulling will make the problem worst.

One thought would be to mount to hardboard using acrylic gel and maybe a coat of gel over the top.

Any thoughts.



Doug

 

[Prospero]

Yes, I wouldn't stretch it any more. But the crack may be a symptom of a deeper malaise. You could do the quick fix as you suggest and it would certainly consolidate the surface - depends on the value of the piece.

If it's 'important', an expert restorer is the way to go.

 

[Dave]

Let me guess... from the look of the cracks it looks like this piece was rolled image side in, right?

Rolling can be tough on any painting or photograph, but if something absolutely must be rolled the image should be on the outside of the roll, not the inside. Less stress that way.