Review of Mist-Lining Workshop – Florence Edition 2025

The Mist-Lining Workshop – Florence Edition 2025, instructed by Art Conservation Education’s Kate Seymour, and hosted by the Opificio delle Pietre Dure Foundation, brought together twenty participants from around the world to explore and refine this innovative conservation technique. With attendees from as far afield as New Zealand, the USA, and Canada, as well as a strong European presence from the Netherlands, Ireland, the UK, Hungary, as well as local participants from Italy, the workshop offered a truly international exchange of expertise and ideas.

Over the course of three intense but rewarding days, participants immersed themselves in both the theory and practice of mist-lining. The opening day was devoted to understanding the theoretical principles behind the method, setting a solid foundation for the hands-on sessions that followed.

On the first practical day, participants selected and discussed dummy paintings for lining, chose appropriate canvases, and prepared them for spraying. Working in small groups, they set up low-pressure envelopes and practiced spraying their prepared supports — a crucial step in mastering the delicate control required for the technique.

The final day focused on the full lining process. After a careful dry run to ensure that each stage was clearly understood, participants selected suitable solvents for reactivation and, after lunch, carried out the final linings. The process demanded focus and precision, but the results were immensely satisfying, fostering a sense of accomplishment and shared learning among the group.

Throughout the workshop, lively discussions and collaborative problem-solving underscored the growing strength of the mist-lining community. These exchanges extended beyond the technical, highlighting the collective commitment to innovation and best practice in conservation.

Intense, stimulating, and deeply collegial — the Florence edition of the Mist-Lining Workshop not only advanced participants’ practical skills but also expanded the international network of conservators engaged in this evolving technique. The mist-lining community has indeed grown stronger and more connected.

Many thanks to Francesca Bettini at OPD for her kind invitation, trust, and infectious enthusiasm for the Mist-Lining system, and to Giada Policicchio from FOP for her invaluable assistance in bringing the team together and ensuring the smooth and successful running of the workshop.