Fredrix Archival Belgian Linen Canvas Boards

Why Canvas Board?
Since 1902, Fredrix has offered artists the economical Canvas Panels shown below. Virtually every student and beginner artist is familiar with this versatile support. Even professional fine artists use them for preliminary studies from time to time. Although the canvas and priming are of excellent quality, their cardboard core can warp, become brittle with age or can be damaged from acid degradation, moisture or mold. Therefore, they cannot be defined as “archival” by Fredrix’s strict standards. Still, many artists prefer a rigid painting surface and have asked us to produce a truly archival, professional quality hardboard panel. Fredrix has done just that!

Archival Qualities
Realizing that the problem was with the glue and the wood pulp core, Fredrix began to investigate the best hardboard and acid-free adhesives to produce a professional grade, archival Artist Canvas Board.

History
For hundreds of years artists painted with egg-tempera on heavy, reinforced wooden panels. Coated with layers of calcium carbonate gesso, these panels offered a portable alternative to fresco murals which were permanently attached to a wall. As oil paint began to replace egg-tempera as the preferred medium, canvas replaced the wooden panels. Stretched on a wooden frame, canvas is lighter, more flexible and versatile. Yet, the practice of painting on a rigid surface is still popular for a variety of reasons.

Why Paint on Panels?
Panels are not prone to tears, creases and punctures. Generally more economical than stretched canvas, they are ideal for plein-air painting, classroom or studio work and are easily stored and transported. Up to a certain size, panels are an attractive alternative to stretched canvas. More importantly, many artists simply prefer a rigid support.

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