Canvas has been made from a number of different plants
over time.  See the following entry on wikipedia for a
good summary:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canvas

Among the materials used to fabricate canvas are hemp
and linen.  The word canvas comes to us from the Latin
word for hemp, cannabis. 

According to wikipedia "linen is particularly suitable
for the use of oil paint. In the early 20th century,
cotton canvas, often referred to as "cotton duck",
came into use." 

Judy Turner
Whitefish Bay, WI

> From: Museum discussion list
> [[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of
> [log in to unmask] [[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: Sunday, May 18, 2008 11:18 AM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Paintings Support Designations
> 
> Dear Colleagues:  We're working on a projet where
> all the paintings in a
> collection are listed as "oil on canvas".  However,
> the majority of the
> works are actually oil on linen, heavily impastoed. 
> Should the
> designation be, then, oil on linen, or is oil on
> canvas generally used?
> This should be easy for us to answer, but we can't! 
> Responses
> appreciated.  Best, Geri
> 
> Geri Thomas, President
> Thomas & Associates, Inc.
> www.artstaffing.com


      

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