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Canvas
Canvas is a strong woven cloth traditionally used by artists as a support, the surface on which to paint.
Canvas, schematic. Shapes are drawn for illustration.
What the sources say
| Point | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Fibres | Commonly linen or cotton thread; synthetic versions such as polyester exist; modern canvas is also sometimes PVC | Tate, Wikipedia |
| Weave | A durable plain-woven fabric | Wikipedia |
| Plants | Linen and cotton come from two entirely different plants | Wikipedia |
| Mounting | Typically stretched across a wooden frame | Wikipedia |
| Weight measure | In the US canvas is measured in ounces per square yard and a graded number system | Wikipedia |
For wall art
Tate gives no weave detail, so the weave facts rest on Wikipedia alone; ArtzFolio canvas paintings are printed on canvas and sold framed or rolled.
Where the sources stop
Tate's page gives no weave or preparation detail, so the weave and fibre-plant points rest on Wikipedia alone. Wikipedia also covers PVC and hemp history, which Tate does not mention.
Sources
- Tate art terms: canvas (fetched 2026-11-12)
- Wikipedia: Canvas (fetched 2026-11-12)
Figures from these pages are paraphrased; each page was fetched and read on 2026-11-12. Where two sources differ, both are shown.