Want to learn 14 tips for conservation of paintings on canvas?

Let’s learn 14 tips for the conservation of paintings on canvas in order to avoid the need for time-consuming and expensive interventions.

Paintings on canvas are historical, artistic and emotional testimonies that span generations. However, being composed of sensitive organic and inorganic materials — such as linen or cotton canvas, preparatory layers, pigments and varnishes — they are particularly vulnerable to environmental conditions and the effects of time.

Preventive conservation is the most effective and sustainable way to ensure the longevity of these works, avoiding invasive interventions in the future. Small precautions in storage, display and handling can make a significant difference in preserving the structural and aesthetic integrity of the painting.

In this article, we have compiled 14 essential tips for the conservation of paintings on canvas, aimed at collectors, institutions, cultural heritage professionals and also owners of works of art who wish to protect their artistic and emotional investment.

Caring for a painting does not just mean keeping it clean — it means understanding its materials, respecting its limits and creating a stable environment that allows it to survive over time.

Shall we begin? All it takes is a little care, attention and organisation.

There are two ways to conserve objects:

Preventing deterioration (preventive conservation) and repairing damage (curative conservation, restoration). Both complement each other.

However, curative interventions are a consequence of the ineffectiveness or absence of preventive measures. In other words, the greater the preventive conservation, the less need there is for restoration and, therefore, the lower the costs and consequences for the original work.

To learn the difference between these concepts, read the article.

You can also find these definitions on the ICOM website.

14 tips for the conservation of paintings on canvas

Below are 14 practical, easy-to-implement and low-cost tips for the conservation of paintings on canvas.

To learn more about the conservation of paintings take the online course Conservation and Restoration of Paintings

14 best practices for the conservation of paintings

It all starts with controlling environmental conditions, infestations and accidents:

1 . Avoid environmental fluctuations.

Sudden fluctuations in temperature or humidity are even more harmful to the conservation of paintings than keeping the pieces in a stable environment, even if it is not ideal.

2. Avoid excessive humidity to prevent mould and mildew from appearing, which can destroy works of art slowly or quickly.

example of canvas degradation due to excessive moisture

Try to keep paintings on canvas in places without excessive humidity or, when necessary, use dehumidifiers.

3. Observation of temperature, relative humidity, pollution levels.

Monitoring is the key word for the conservation of paintings on canvas. Without knowing the levels of humidity, temperature and pollution, effective control is not feasible.

There are low-cost devices on the market for measuring these parameters, such as data loggers and thermo-hygrometers, which do not require in-depth technical knowledge to operate.

4. Observation of animal infestation

Look for sawdust, droppings, holes, cocoons, hair, feathers, etc., which indicate the presence of pests (wood-eating insects, white ants, moths, white butterflies, silverfish, rats, birds, etc.).

The presence of insects on a vegetable support (wood) the sawdust on the surface indicates that it is still active.

In the event of infestation, the affected item(s) must be isolated.

This is the first step in preventing the spread of infestation. The subsequent treatment of the affected items should be assessed according to the type of infestation.

6. Ventilate cupboards and enclosed spaces that store items of heritage value.

Although items may be “stored” for many years, it should not be forgotten that checking and airing are essential for the preventive conservation of paintings on canvas.

7. Avoid exposing items to the harmful and cumulative effects of light.

Light is one of the factors to be taken into account for the conservation of paintings on canvas. It can destroy the chromatic layer and the support and cause irreparable damage by altering the original colour and brightness of the pigments.

8. Place raw cloths or special filters on windows or openings, but allow light to enter.

The conservation of paintings does not mean that the pieces have to be closed inside cabinets without light or that they cannot be exhibited. We should, however, avoid exposure to direct light and, when using artificial light, carefully choose the best lighting (a subject dealt with in depth in the Preventive Conservation Course).

9. Close pieces that are not in worship (in the case of churches) or on display in order to protect them from light.

10. Avoid flowers and their contact with works of art (source of animal infestation and humidity).

As beautiful as they are, flowers can pose a risk to the conservation of paintings as they attract insects and promote humidity.

11. Avoid burning candles near works of art or placing canvases near fireplaces.

Not only because of the pollution, but also because of the danger they pose in case of carelessness.

12. Do not use glues, adhesive tapes, pins, waxes, paint strippers, or abrasive products (bleach, sandpaper, etc.).

These are everyday products and materials, but they can cause irreversible damage to our paintings on canvas. Any fixing, maintenance, or cleaning operation must be carried out with technical knowledge and the appropriate materials.

13. Do not use nails, paper clips, staples or thumbtacks.

The oxidation of these metallic materials can cause the paintings to deteriorate. Metallic elements, widely used for example to fix canvases to wooden frames and these to mouldings, are a frequent cause of degradation of the textile support.

14. Avoid poorly organised, poorly ventilated and unclean storage rooms at all costs.

It is simply a matter of choosing the right location and a little organisation. For example, create a weekly plan for checking, recording conditions and cleaning.

Discover the online courses with certificates in conservation and restoration