While getting ready for an upcoming show, I glued labels to the canvas backs of six of my works with fish glue. I like this glue because it is really tacky, dries fast and is reversible. To my utter horror I noticed that there is now a visible elevation the size of the label on the front of each picture. The paintings are oil on store prepped canvas. I did not add another layer of gesso before painting. Can I safely soak off the label on the back and perhaps dampen the unaffected area, or should I leave it alone and hope they don’t get rejected. Any advise would be very much appreciated.
Oh dear….well for future reference we do have some tips about how to include information on the backs of paintings on page 12 of the document here(which can be found in our “Resources” section). NOTHING should ever be adhered to the back of the canvas unless it covers the ENTIRETY of the canvas. Glues will always cause this type of planar deformation as they tend to be exceptionally hygroscopic and will cause the canvas fibers to swell and shrink as the temp/humidity levels rise and fall. At this point we are wary of providing advice on how to proceed since these are a) fairly young paintings and b) we are not able to examine them in person. Unfortunately I would embrace this experience as a lesson learned…you could try and locate a conservator who may take pity on you and guide you through an appropriate and safe procedure.
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