Batting in backs of framed paintings

Our preparator has been inserting batting into the backs of framed
paintings--she was told by a conservator that it was necessary to do
this for paintings that travel. From what I understand the intention
is to support the canvas so that it doesn't "flap," so to speak,
when it's being transported.

Have any of you encountered this? Do you advocate this practice? The
main reason I'm asking is because recently we've had several of
these paintings on tour in Germany, and the German conservators were
shocked to find the batting and were very concerned about its
presence behind the canvases.

Sara Rowe Hignite, Registrar
Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum
Sam Fox Arts Center
Washington University in St. Louis
One Brookings Drive
Campus Box 1214
St. Louis MO 63130
314-935-5385
Fax: 314-935-7282


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 19:1
                 Distributed: Wednesday, June 15, 2005
                        Message Id: cdl-19-1-018
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