What is an antique panel painting?

An antique panel painting is a historical work of art executed on a rigid support, usually wood, rather than canvas. These pieces range from small seventeenth-century portraits to larger nineteenth-century landscapes and domestic scenes.

How should I hang panel paintings?

Panel paintings require stable indoor environments away from direct sunlight and dramatic changes in temperature or humidity. Mounting them securely using appropriate picture wire and wall fixings ensures the wooden support remains safe and level.

Why did artists use wood panels?

Artists favoured wood panels because they offered a perfectly rigid and smooth surface for meticulous brushwork. Unlike canvas, wooden boards did not slacken over time and provided superior protection for fine, detailed pigments.