Follow this with a second brushing in the opposite direction. Avoid touching the front and back of the painting. Oils on your fingers and hands can mar the surface., and pressure on the back of a canvas can cause crack patterns in the paint layer. The proper framing of a painting is not only critical to its presentation, but also to its protection. Brass mending straps screwed into the frame are recommended for holding a painting in the frame.
Frames protect the edges of paintings and allow for their safer handling and storage.
To move a frame, grip it by the sides or with one hand on the bottom and the other supporting the side. In many museum collections, improperly stored or displayed frames exhibit flaking gesso, cracking composition ornament and worn gold leaf. When it is time to hang your framed paintings, attention should be paid to using the appropriate hardware and properly anchoring the frame to the wall. A painting on a weak wire that is insecurely anchored can come crashing down. Use D ring hangers in preference to screw eyes because they lay flat and rely on multiple screws to insure a more secure hanging.