This study examines the practice of detaching and transferring wall paintings in Austria between 1900 and 1970, tracing its technical, institutional, and ethical dimensions in the shadow of Italian pioneers. Drawing on archival sources and case studies—from early adoptions of stacco and strappo methods to post-war collaborations with the Istituto Centrale in Rome—, it charts a shift from stylistic restoration to conservation-oriented approaches. The paper explores motivations for removal, from urgent preservation to problematic “routine” transfers, and the evolving debate over authenticity, integrity, and the loss of context. By situating Austrian practice within international discourse, it highlights both technical advances and the lasting conservation challenges posed by these interventions.