damaged canvas

srw19artist56

True Grumbler
Joined
May 4, 2005
Posts
61
Loc
Michigan
Customer called. Says he's got an oil painting on canvas. Has a tear in it & overall, the canvas is in a weakened condition.

I imediately suggested a conservator. But he said it only had sentimental value (his mom painted it), & wanted me to mount it to another canvas or something for strength.

So grumblers, would this be a job for Miracle Muck or Franks Fabric Adhesive mounted onto another canvas & then restretch?

Or can I glue it down on gator board or rag mat? :confused: Thanks, Sharon
 
Oh, yeah, it only has sentimental value UNTIL YOU SPOIL IT! Then my friend, you will be AMAZED at how valuable it is!

It is my contention that something painted by a dear relative is far more valuable than those 'art by the pound' things or even some of the stuff painted by what might be mediumly famous painters (not lumping mom in with Picasso, of course, but definitely high up there!) So treat it right or Run! Run! Run! Don't let it be your fault!
 
Good words of wisdom.
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After seeing it, If I can't confidently mount it, I'll run, run, run...................!
But,.... what IS the best way to handle it?

Sharon
 
I'm with Ellen, even when and especially when they bring in a piece of schlock that only a mother mole in heat would love... I would stress how this piece is beyond your capabilities and as nice as it is, should go to a conservator for relining and treated with the respect it deserves....you lawyer will thank you for warding off a headache.
 
O.K. got it!.... I'm looking up the conservators # now!
I guess when business is slower, I try to meet everyones needs & not turn anyone away. Just gotta say no sometimes.

Thanks, Sharon
 
Bravo!

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Dave Makielski
 
You can make a patch out of bees wax and a canvas similar to the canvas used for the painting. Melt the wax, flood one side of the patch material with the molten wax, and flatten it against the back of the damaged canvas. After the wax has returned to its solid state, you can clean up the front, level out the wax to match the surface of the damaged area, then paint with oil colors.

This is an easy repair that can be undone by any conservator. Make sure you only paint on the bees wax. If you want a wax that is a little harder than bees wax, just add a little rosin to the wax as you are melting it.

John
 
Good technique, John. Just make sure that your first practice piece doesn't belong to a customer, right?
 
It is not all that hard, some practice, especially if you are not a painter, could not hurt. If you are unfmilliar with any proceedure that involves customers property, DON'T DO IT!

John
 
A brief history of adhesives used to repair canvases. Dated 1986, so not state of the art.

http://palimpsest.stanford.edu/waac/wn/wn08/wn08-1/wn08-104.html

A friend of mine worked with Bent Hacke, one of the Danish conservators who first started working with the Lascaux adhesives for lining paintings. A couple of years ago there was a workshop in NY, revisiting how the new adhesives had held up after 20 -25 years, and Lascaux HV 360 was a winner.

Rebecca
 
It has been a few years since I last relined a painting. We established a relationship with a local conservator several years ago, now everything goes to her. I had always used bees wax and rosin for relining and patching. I never noticed a darkening of the painting as stated in your paper. I have never had one returned, so I guess I got lucky.

John
 
Originally posted by srw19artist56:
...But he said it only had sentimental value...
ONLY sentimental value?

Monetary value is defined in terms of dollars. Sentimental value is priceless. Do not underestimate sentimental value; generally it is much greater than monetary value.

If I were you, I would not attempt the work, because having a conservator correct my possible mistakes would be at my expense, not the customer's. I wouldn't try to rewire a customer's house, either. It isn't worth the risk.

If a framer is qualified to do the same work a conservator would do, would someone please explain why the framer should charge less than the conservator?
 
I can not imagine why a framer would charge less than a conservator for cleaning and repairs. As it turned out, my prices where actually higher than the conservator who now does all the work for us. I'm with Jim on this one.

John
 
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