"On Canvas is a landmark publication and essential reading for everyone interested in the material history of paintings on canvas and their preservation for future generations. Stephen Hackney brings his experience as a reflective practitioner, conservation scientist and an appreciation of the physical history of paintings on canvas to address the key concerns for their future survival in an era of changes in economic and environmental change. On Canvas will be a key text for students in conservation, conservators, conservation scientists and curators for the next generation."
—Professor Aviva Burnstock, Department of Conservation, The Courtauld
“If you don’t have a lifetime’s experience in conservation treatments for paintings on canvas, whether preventive or interventive, this book will provide an excellent substitute, because its author has precisely that experience. The book also describes the way canvas ages and interacts with its priming and paint, and summarizes the findings of research from the later 20th century to the present into how paintings on canvas behave in the museum environment.”
—Joyce H Townsend PhD FIIC ACR, Senior Conservation Scientist, Tate, London, UK
“In this succinctly written and thoroughly comprehensive review, On Canvas ranges from well-chosen examples of how artists have used and prepared canvas over the centuries to the treatments employed by conservators to preserve paintings—with all their shortcomings. The book emphasizes the importance of preventive conservation, rather than interventive treatments, and is unique in achieving a well-balanced appraisal of the scientific research over the last fifty years that has led to a better understanding of the factors affecting the long-term preservation of paintings. On Canvas is an invaluable resource for all those involved in conserving canvas paintings and is likely to remain so for some time to come.”
—Paul Ackroyd, Senior Conservator, National Gallery, London
“A highly informative and detailed look at oil paintings on canvas, from the very earliest through the modern period. Of great relevance to educators in the field of paintings conservation, this book provides clarity and insight into the visual consequences of artists’ use of materials and deepens our understanding of how paintings on canvas behave over time and in relation to their environment.”
—Leslie Carlyle, Associate Professor, Paintings Conservation, Department of Conservation and Restoration, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Portugal
“On Canvas is a wonderful compilation of important and clearly well researched topics the practicing conservator must consider on a daily basis. It beautifully covers the history of artist’s materials, issues of conservation science, and conservation treatments with numerous examples. A must-have book for anyone with an interest in the preservation of fine art.”
—Marion F. Mecklenburg
“Great resource that reads like a page turner. Highly informative, complete, well written and lucid. A must for conservators.”
—Jaap Boon, Research Director, JAAP Enterprise for Art Scientific Studies
“On Canvas will no doubt form essential reading for the conservation student and is a useful source of reference for the professional too. . . . This comprehensive book will empower conservators to care for canvas paintings more effectively.”
~Christine Braybook, ICON News
“Brings together previously published information from many sources on the subject, clearly evaluated and textualized, and then offers new insights. It will be of great use both to students and emerging conservators as well as to mid-career readers.”
~Joyce Townsend, News in Conservation
“This is a book that would complement every paintings conservators’ library. I’d particularly recommend it for student reading lists—I certainly wish I’d had it. It’s an astonishingly useful resource applicable to other conservation disciplines, artists and, in fact, anyone with a fascination of the physical composition and mechanics of canvas paintings.”
~Lynne Harrison, The Picture Restorer
