The history of painting on textile is briefly viewed. A theoretical examination of the following topics is made: 1) the deterioration of paintings on fabric, 2) requirements of the preliminary examination before conservation is performed, 3) the conservation treatments to protect and consolidate the pictorial layers, consolidation of the fabric support, cleaning and varnishing. Display conditions are examined with regard to the preservation of the painting. Finally, the optical properties of the varnished surface are considered. -- AATA