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prettygoodword ([personal profile] prettygoodword) wrote2017-05-10 08:18 am

craquelure

craquelure (krak-LOOR, KRAK-loor, krakuh-LYR) - n., the network of fine cracks on the surface of a painting.


Caused chiefly by shrinkage of the paint or the varnish on top of it, or slackening of the canvas. Affects mainly oil or tempura paintings, though craquelure can also be found in ceramics (sometimes deliberately induced) and old ivory. Adopted around 1910 from French, from nominalization of craqueler, to crack.

---L.

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