ABSTRACT
Thread-by-thread tear mending method is heralded for its minimum interference with the integrity of the materials of a painting. Thread-by-thread tear repair is not recommended for stabilising weakened fabric supports nor for the flattening of deformations caused by the inherent tension of the paint layer. Contemporary methods for the structural treatment of canvas paintings include improvements to traditional methods brought about by combining their application with low-pressure suction table techniques. Some canvas paintings suffer from mechanical damages such as holes and tears affecting all layers except the stretcher. Most of the treatment steps designated as part of structural treatments in this text was traditionally executed as subsidiary parts of a complete or full lining treatment of a deteriorated canvas painting. Prior to tearing, the mechanical force of impact pulls the twist of the individual fibres straight and expands the fabric.
