relining

art restoration

Also known as: lining

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Last updated

July 13, 2026

Quick Summary

Art conservation and restoration involve preserving and repairing artworks that have been damaged by time, use, or neglect. Conservation focuses on maintenance and protection from future harm, while restoration addresses existing damage to return an object to its original appearance.1

Relining is a restoration technique specifically for paintings on canvas. It involves attaching a new canvas to the back of an old one to reinforce it, addressing issues like tears or lifting paint. Various adhesives and methods, from traditional glue-paste to modern synthetic resins, are used. Modern practices emphasize reversibility and minimal intervention, with techniques like using suction tables for localized repairs becoming more common.2

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art conservation and restoration
Paintings on canvas
…also referred to as “relining.” A number of techniques and adhesives have been employed for lining, but with all methods there is a risk of altering the surface texture of the painting if the procedure is not carried out with the utmost care and skill. The most frequently used…
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…also referred to as “relining.” A number of techniques and adhesives have been employed for lining, but with all methods there is a risk of altering the surface texture of the painting if the procedure is not carried out with the utmost care and skill. The most frequently used…
Read More