Tuesday, November 7, 2023

Can a Ripped Painting Be Repaired?

Scott M. Haskins is an expert in art restoration. His company, Fine Art Conservation Laboratories (FACL) provides art restoration services in Las Vegas and Henderson, Nevada. He says that many people ask him if a ripped painting can be repaired. The answer is yes, but it is important to have it done by a professional. Ripped paintings can be caused by a variety of situations such as earthquakes, storms, and other natural disasters, as well as a simple bump of an elbow.

image of an old white man smiling in front of a large table that has paintings on it
Scott M. Haskins in his mural restoration room

A professional art conservator will assess the damage and develop a plan to repair the painting in a way that minimizes the appearance of the tear. The process may vary depending on the extent of the damage, but it will typically involve cleaning the painting, assessing the damage, repairing the tear, and retouching the painting.

It is important to have a ripped painting repaired by a professional to ensure that it is done correctly. If you try to repair it yourself, you could cause further damage.

Here are some tips for dealing with a ripped painting:

  • Do not remove the painting from the stretcher.
  • Do not try to repair the tear yourself.
  • Take the painting to a professional art conservator as soon as possible.
portrait painting of a standing man with a cane. The painting has a long tear going through the middle of it.
This heirloom portrait was knocked off the wall because of his rambunctious young descendants. He was brought to FACL and repaired flawlessly!


How to Prevent Your Paintings from Falling Off the Wall

There are a few things you can do to prevent your paintings from falling off the wall:

  • Use the right hanging hardware. Make sure the hardware is strong enough to support the weight of the painting and the type of wall you are hanging it on.
  • Use museum wax. Museum wax can help to anchor the painting to the wall and prevent it from falling.
  • Hang your paintings in the right place. Avoid hanging paintings near windows or doors, where they are more likely to be bumped. Also, avoid hanging paintings in direct sunlight, as this can cause the paint to fade over time.

Here are some specific recommendations for hanging hardware:

  • Picture-hanging wire attachment on frame: Use picture hangers that require multiple screws to attach to the frame. This will provide more security for your painting.
  • Hanging hook on the wall: If you are hanging a painting on a plaster wall, use a brass hook. For wood walls, use a silver hook. If you are concerned about earthquakes, use an earthquake-proof plastic hook.
  • Museum wax: You can find museum wax at most art supply stores. Reapply the wax every few months.
image of two small framed paintings side by side. The frame on the right is broken into pieces.
Falls don't just affect paintings. They can damage antique and bespoke frames, too! Protect your artworks with proper hanging techniques.


Additional Tips for Las Vegas and Henderson Residents

  • Consider the climate. Las Vegas and Henderson have a dry climate, which can be damaging to paintings. Keep your paintings in a humidified environment by using a humidifier or placing them in a room with plants.
  • Be careful about pests. Las Vegas and Henderson are home to pests such as termites and silverfish, which can damage paintings. Take steps to control pests by using pest control products or sealing your home to prevent them from entering.
Do you have any questions? Please call us at 702-757-3820.

What Does It Mean That This Article Is "Syndicated"?

When an article is syndicated, it is published by one news source and then made available to other news sources for redistribution. This is usually done because the article is considered to be of high value or because the author is an expert in their field.

This article has been syndicated at ExpertClick.com, which is a website that distributes press releases and other content to news organizations. This means that the article has been considered to be of high value and that the author is considered to be an expert in art restoration. 

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