Review: Getty Conserving Canvas initiative – Mist-Lining Brazil Edition Workshop at CECOR

Instructed by:

Kate Seymour: Art Conservation Education, Maastricht (www.art-conservation-education.com)

Joanna Strombek: Studio Cracquelure, Maastricht

The Getty Conserving Canvas initiative: Mist-Lining Brazil Edition workshop, hosted by CECOR in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, was an exciting and valuable event that brought together conservation professionals from across Latin America. This edition focused on training future educators and leaders by selecting participants from teaching institutions in Brazil, Chile, Peru, Colombia, and Argentina. The goal was to explore and adapt the Mist-Lining technique—developed as a structural support for canvas paintings—using local materials and addressing specific regional needs.

Workshop Overview:

The primary objective of the workshop was to introduce the Mist-Lining technique, a pioneering conservation method, developed at SRAL, Maastricht by Jos van Och, that uses a fine mist of acrylic adhesives to bond a secondary textile to the reverse of damaged paintings on canvas, enhancing both stabilisation and structural integrity. Participants had the opportunity to test the feasibility of locally sourced acrylic adhesives and synthetic textiles, adapting the technique to local artworks and conservation conditions.

The Experience:

From the outset, it was clear that the workshop was about more than just learning a new technique. It fostered collaboration, knowledge sharing, and the development of an international network of conservators. The CECOR team created a dynamic learning environment, combining both theoretical instruction and hands-on practice, allowing participants to explore the nuances of Mist-Lining while tackling real-world conservation challenges.

One of the most significant outcomes was the formation of a strong network of professionals. The workshop strengthened existing connections, particularly within Brazil, while forging new relationships across Latin America, regions with shared challenges in conservation. This growing network promises to be a lasting and productive resource for participants, fostering further collaboration in the future.

The sessions combined online lectures, which provided theoretical foundations, and practical activities conducted over two weeks. The practical sessions were an open, collaborative environment for exchanging ideas, testing techniques, and applying Mist-Lining to mock-ups and real artworks. While the lectures were in English, the practical sessions quickly became a multilingual exchange, incorporating English, Portuguese, Spanish, and even Italian. This multicultural approach was made seamless by our guest instructor, Humberto Farias de Carvalho, who had extensive experience with the technique and has taught it in Rio de Janeiro and helped to translate our Mist-Lining Handbook into Spanish.

Workshop Highlights:

Practical Application of Mist-Lining:
A major highlight was the opportunity to apply Mist-Lining to three different case studies—small canvas paintings by the same artist, each showing distinct structural damages. Participants had the chance to experiment with the technique, assessing its potential to reinforce delicate materials without compromising their appearance or texture.

International Collaboration and Networking:
With participants from across Latin America, the workshop served as a powerful platform for international exchange. The diverse backgrounds of attendees enriched the discussions, offering varied perspectives on the viability and future applications of Mist-Lining in the region. This workshop was truly an opportunity for cross-border collaboration, laying the foundation for future projects and shared learning.

Focus on Research and Development:
Research and experimentation were at the core of the workshop. Participants were encouraged to test different materials and application methods, which deepened their understanding of Mist-Lining’s potential and limitations. The stimulating conversations around future research possibilities sparked ideas for further collaborative projects.

Participant Engagement and Mentorship:
Participants, primarily educators from Brazil's leading institutions, were deeply engaged. They were able to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world scenarios, supported by mentorship from the CECOR team—Amanda Cordeiro, Camilla Camargos, and guest instructors Humberto Farias de Carvalho and Edson Motta Jr. from EBA-UFRJ in Rio de Janeiro. The blend of education and hands-on practice provided an invaluable learning experience and encouraged participants to think critically about the evolving challenges in conservation.

Future Plans: Strengthening Connections with Previous Cohorts:

A key ambition of this workshop is to foster connections between the 2025 Brazilian cohort and the 2023 Mist-Lining Mexican cohort, who also participated in the Getty Conserving Canvas initiative. This collaboration aims to create a strong regional network of conservation professionals and students, all equipped with the skills to further the practice of Mist-Lining across Latin America. In line with this goal, we are planning an alumni event later this year to bring both cohorts together, facilitating further collaboration and knowledge exchange. We will also complete the translation of the Mist-Lining Handbook into Portuguese.

Takeaways and Future Potential:

As the workshop concluded, participants left with a renewed sense of possibility for the Mist-Lining technique in canvas conservation. The technique’s potential to support fragile canvas artworks across Latin America is clear, and the enthusiasm for future research collaborations was palpable. One key takeaway was the importance of continued international cooperation in the field of conservation. The workshop demonstrated how cross-border knowledge-sharing can push the boundaries of what is possible in art preservation.

Conclusion:

The 2025 Getty Conserving Canvas initiative: Mist-Lining Brazil Edition workshop was a resounding success, marking a milestone in the adaptation and application of the Mist-Lining technique for canvas conservation. Thanks to the exceptional leadership of CECOR and the contributions of conservators, students, and experts from Brazil, Chile, Peru, Colombia, Argentina, and beyond, the workshop fostered meaningful dialogue, sparked innovation, and laid the groundwork for future research and collaboration.

Looking ahead, the international nature of this event has set the stage for ongoing research and cooperative efforts in the conservation of fragile artworks. With its emphasis on practical application, research, and cross-cultural exchange, this workshop has undoubtedly made a lasting impact on the future of conservation in Latin America and beyond.

Special thanks to the CECOR team—Amanda Cordeiro, Camilla Camargos, Alessandra Rosado, and Luiz Souza—and guest instructors Humberto Farias de Carvalho and Edson Motta Jr. for their invaluable support and guidance. Thank you to our workshop assistant Ajan Rios. Our deepest gratitude also goes to the Getty Foundation for their ongoing assistance and commitment to preserving cultural heritage.

Selected Participants:

Ana Elisa Anselmo García

Institution: National Center for Conservation and Restoration (Centro Nacional de Conservación y Restauración-CNCR)

Country: Chile

City: Santiago de Chile

Andrea Lacerda Bachettini

Institution: Federal University of Pelotas (UFPel)

Country: Brazil

City: Pelotas

Cybele Nascimento Silva

Institution: Art Foundation of Ouro Preto - FAOP

Country: Brazil

City: Ouro Preto

Elvira Nóbrega de Faria Tobias

Institution: Superintendency of Museums of State of Minas Gerais/Brazil

Country: Brazil

City: Belo Horizonte

Florencia Agustina Iribarne Lucato

Institution: Centro TAREA and Centro de Estudios sobre Patrimonios y Ambiente (CEPyA)

Country: Argentina

City: Buenos Aires

Giulia Villela Giovani

Institution: Center for Conservation and Restoration of Cultural Heritage (CECOR) - Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG)

Country: Brazil

City: Belo Horizonte

Larissa Long

Institution: IBRAM - Brazilian Institute of Museums

Country: Brazil

City: Rio de Janeiro

Marilene Corrêa Maia

Institution: Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ)

Country: Brazil

City: Rio de Janeiro

Moema Nascimento Queiroz

Institution: Center for Conservation and Restoration of Cultural Heritage (CECOR) - Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG)

Country: Brazil

City: Belo Horizonte

Pérside Omena Ribeiro

Institution: Grifo Diagnosis and Preservation of Cultural Assets

Country: Brazil

City: Recife

Romina Gatti

Institution: Centro TAREA - National University of San Martín (UNSAM)

Country: Argentina

City: Buenos Aires

Vanessa Angélica Garnica

Institution: National Museum of Colombia

Country: Colombia

City: Bogotá

Víctor Raúl Gálvez Barrera

Institution: Professional School of Conservation and Restoration - Lima/Peru, National University of San Marcos

Country: Peru

City: Lima

Virgynia Corradi Lopes Da Silva

Institution: Institute of National Historical and Artistic Heritage (IPHAN) - Brazil

Country: Brazil

City: Brasília