Conserving Canvas

In 2019, Yale University hosted an international conference on conserving paintings on canvas, the first major symposium on the subject since 1974. The conference discussed the shift from destructive conservation techniques to more minimalist approaches, with recent decades seeing the reevaluation of traditional practices and the development of new methodologies and materials. Conserving Canvas compiles the proceedings of the conference, providing valuable global perspectives on the field and serving as a standard reference for conservators.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 516 pages
Publication date: 03 October 2023
Publisher: Getty Trust Publications

In 2019, Yale University, in collaboration with the Getty Foundation, convened an international conference that brought together nearly four hundred attendees from over twenty countries to delve into a crucial topic: the best approaches to conserving paintings on canvas. This conference marked the first major symposium on the subject since 1974, a period when wax-resin and glue-paste lining were the dominant conservation techniques. Over the past fifty years, these methods, while effective in some cases, were often destructive to artworks. Consequently, they have been gradually replaced by more minimalist intervention strategies. In recent decades, there has been a renewed interest in traditional practices and a dedicated pursuit of research that supports the development of innovative methodologies, procedures, and synthetic materials for the care and conservation of paintings on fabric supports.

Conserving Canvas is a compilation of the proceedings from the conference, featuring a diverse range of papers and posters that offer valuable insights into the history, current state, and future needs of the field of canvas conservation. The publication includes an extensive glossary of terms, which will serve as an invaluable resource for conservators, providing a comprehensive understanding of the technical terms used in this field.

With its comprehensive coverage and authoritative content, Conserving Canvas is poised to become a standard reference for the international conservation community. The conference's proceedings will undoubtedly contribute to the advancement of knowledge and practices in this field, ensuring that the preservation and conservation of artistic masterpieces on canvas are carried out with the utmost care and expertise.

Weight: 1256g
Dimension: 213 x 280 x 34 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781606068243