How do I date an antique oil painting?

Examine the canvas weave, the stretcher construction, and the type of nails or tacks used to secure the canvas. Pigment analysis and the style of the frame also provide reliable chronological markers. Signatures, inscriptions on the reverse, and artist biographical details help narrow the date of creation to a specific decade or artistic movement.

What is the difference between an oil painting and a print?

An oil painting is a unique, hand-painted work created by applying wet pigment directly to a support such as canvas or wood panel. Brush texture and impasto are visible upon close inspection. A print is a mechanical or manual reproduction of an original image onto paper or glass, utilising techniques such as lithography, engraving, or photographic processes.

How should I care for antique works on paper?

Keep watercolours, drawings, and prints away from direct sunlight to prevent the fading of fugitive pigments and the yellowing of the paper support. Maintain stable indoor humidity levels to avoid foxing and mould growth. Display works behind UV-filtered glass with acid-free mounts that prevent the paper from touching the glass surface directly.

Are antique frames original to the artwork?

Many pieces retain their original or period-appropriate frames, which dealers identify through matching patina, corner construction, and rabbet wear. Giltwood and Hogarth frames often date to the same era as the canvas. Over the centuries, artworks were frequently reframed to suit changing interior tastes, so secondary framing remains a common occurrence in the antiques market.