How do I identify a signed oil painting?

Signatures typically appear in the lower corners of the composition, applied directly in wet paint or occasionally scratched into the pigment. Examining the surface with a magnifier helps confirm that the signature is contemporaneous with the surrounding paint layers rather than added later.

What is the difference between canvas and panel?

Canvas is woven fabric stretched across a wooden frame, offering slight give under the brush and a textured weave visible beneath thin paint. Panels provide a completely rigid wooden foundation that prevents the flexing associated with older woven textiles.

How should I care for an oil painting?

Keep framed artworks away from direct sunlight and fluctuating humidity to prevent the paint film from cracking or the wooden support from warping. Dust the surface gently with a soft, dry brush without applying moisture or household cleaning products to the pigment.

Are these frames original?

Many older paintings retain their period giltwood or gesso frames, which show appropriate wear matching the age of the canvas. Matching frames often feature corner ornamentation and patination consistent with the manufacturing techniques of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.