What is lining in the conservation of canvas paintings?

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In the field of art conservation, lining (also known as relining) is a traditional technique used to reinforce a canvas painting that has deteriorated, become acidic, or sustained tears. The process involves attaching a new canvas to the back of the original one to provide structural support.1

Historically, this was achieved by ironing a new canvas to the old one using a warm mixture of animal glue and paste. Later methods introduced thermoplastic wax-resin mixtures, often applied using a "vacuum hot table" to ensure even adhesion. Modern approaches have evolved to include the use of synthetic resin adhesives, such as ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers, or cold-setting polymer dispersions applied with low-pressure suction tables.1

While lining has been a standard practice, it carries the risk of altering the painting's original surface texture if not performed with extreme care. Consequently, contemporary conservation trends have shifted away from wholesale lining in favor of more precise, limited treatments, such as edge lining (or "strip lining"), which specifically reinforces only the weak or damaged edges of a canvas.1