Before the advent of stretched canvas, fine arts painters made use of wood panels which were readily available, easy to handle, and long lasting.

The history of wood panel painting goes as far back as the Greeks and Romans, and the oldest surviving panel from that era is from the 6th century. Many examples can be found in Egyptian and Byzantine art and onward, with various types of wood being employed according to region and availability. It wasn’t until the 15th century that canvas was introduced as an alternative to wood, and both were equally popular until the 17th century.

The 13th and 14th century work produced by Italian and Dutch artists remain some of the most beautiful examples of painting on wood panels. Much of the work depicted religious scenes and formed part of altarpieces which highlighted the craft of these artists while also providing a focus for the religious devotion of church congregations. While many of these pieces have been lost and ravaged by the tests of time, there are still prime examples represented in some of the best museums around the globe.

Present day painters continue to use wood panels as an alternative to stretched canvas. There are many options available, most of which are pre-primed which means they do not require extensive preparation to avoid the warping or splitting possible due to the natural resin and gum present in wood. Just unwrap and start painting.

There are pros and cons to working with both canvas and wood, but the painters who prefer working on panels are attracted to the rigidity of the surface, the feel of permanence, and the way that wood takes the pigment. When treated correctly, these panels will last for centuries.

Brian Sylvester is a guest blogger on WallSpin, and an artist on Zatista.