How do I care for an oil painting?

Keep the painting away from direct sunlight, damp environments and extreme temperature fluctuations to protect the wooden stretcher and fragile oil pigments. Dust the surface gently with a dry, soft brush when necessary, avoiding water, chemical cleaners or abrasive cloths.

What is the difference between canvas and panel?

Canvas offers a flexible, textured fabric surface that yields slightly under pressure and requires periodic tension checks. Panel provides a rigid, solid wooden or board foundation that resists punctures and movement over decades of display.

How do I identify the period of a work?

Examine the materials of the support, framing methods, stretcher construction and artist signatures alongside any exhibition labels on the reverse. Stylistic conventions in clothing, architecture and brush technique also provide reliable clues to the decade of creation.

Where should I hang my painting?

Select an interior wall with stable ambient conditions away from heat sources like radiators or fireplaces to prevent paint cracking. Position the centre of the canvas at eye level to ensure comfortable viewing within your living space.