Should oil paintings be kept out of direct sunlight?

Intense direct sunlight damages canvas and causes oil pigments to fade or discolour over decades. Hang your art on walls that receive indirect ambient light. Stable indoor environments without extreme temperature fluctuations help prevent the canvas and wooden frame from warping.

How can I tell the age of a canvas?

Inspect the reverse of the piece for the weave of the fabric, stretcher bar marks, and the type of primitive or modern framing nails used. Older stretchers often show oxidation and darkened wood. Signatures, dates inscribed on the reverse, and artist biographies provide further chronological context for the work.

What is the difference between canvas and board supports?

Canvas is a flexible woven fabric stretched over a wooden frame, offering slight give under the brush. Board is a rigid flat panel made of wood or composite material. Both supports were widely used across different periods, with board often appearing in smaller plein air studies and primitive works.