How do I care for antique giltwood frames?

Dust the carved surfaces gently with a dry, soft brush to prevent the accumulation of dirt within the intricate crevices of the gesso. Keep these pieces away from direct sunlight and fluctuating humidity to protect the delicate metallic leaf from cracking or flaking over time.

What is the difference between an oil painting and an engraving?

Oil paintings feature pigments suspended in drying oil applied directly to canvas or wooden panels by the hand of the artist. Engravings are printed works created by incising a design into a metal plate, which transfers inked lines onto paper.

Are religious icons painted on wood or canvas?

Traditional religious icons in this collection typically utilise tempera and gold leaf applied directly onto prepared wooden panels. This construction method provided a rigid support suited for sacred imagery across centuries of devotional practice.

How can I identify a seventeenth-century portrait?

Seventeenth-century portraits often feature specific clothing styles, such as lace collars, heavy doublets, and formal attire worn by nobility and merchants. The painting techniques and canvas preparations from this era also display distinct age-related craquelure and traditional framing methods.