mirroring

Mirroring - one of the ways to preserve paintings on canvas. This method consists in reinforcing the old, weakened canvas by gluing from the bottom of the new canvas, fiberglass, etc. using natural binders (resin wax, vegetable glue, animal glue) or synthetic resins. Wax mass is usually used, which depends on the composition has a higher or lower acid number. The size of this number affects the condition of the preserved objects. Mass with a high acid number can cause irreversible damage to the canvas.

During the gluing, the adhesive mass penetrates the old canvas, strengthening (most irreversibly) the layer of mortar and paint. Advantages and disadvantages

Contemporary conservation practice recommends mirroring as little as possible, usually consisting only of reinforcing an old canvas, where the glue does not penetrate deep into the mortar and paint layers. By using this method, the duplicated canvas can be easily removed using appropriate solvents. The irreversible mirroring is also a complete back cover from which the march or conservator can read a lot of information about the state of behavior or technological features of the originality of the work and its history.

The method of duplication also often occurs, with the wrong choice of binder or conditions of the procedure, the risk of overdrying of the canvas and mortar with a binder, and consequently, optical changes visible from the face. Most commonly used for waxing the wax mass has a high refractive index and often results in darkening of the image. Bibliography

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