Since our “Behind the Scenes in Conservation” posts have been so popular on social media, we’ve decided to give them more room to shine (and analyze and treat and conserve)! Each week, our conservation team highlights a project from one of their four specialty areas (paper, objects, textile or paintings conservation), giving you an exclusive look into the lab.

One of our mid-20^th century paintings is going out on loan to an exhibit on the East Coast.  To add some protection to the oil-on-canvas work, inserts made of polyester batting are being added to the inside of the backing board.  Almost every painting at the museum already has a backing board attached to it, but this is an additional measure.  The batting provides a cushion against the back of the canvas as the painting is transported.   

In the first photo, the batting is being fitted into the voids on the back of the stretcher;

In the second, the two pieces are temporarily taped to the inside of the backing board to check their placement;

In the third, the  batting has been glued in place and the backing board is being attached to the wood stretcher. Now we’ll just wish the painting “Bon Voyage!”