Ageing Cracks

A network of cracks that forms in a painting over time as part of its natural ageing process. These fissures typically run through all layers, including the ground, paint, and varnish. Ageing cracks result from the slow, cumulative movement of the support—whether canvas, panel, or another substrate—responding to continuous, subtle fluctuations in temperature and relative humidity. As the support expands and contracts over the years, the more brittle paint and ground layers are unable to accommodate these dimensional changes, eventually developing a characteristic crackle pattern that reflects the painting’s material history and environmental exposure.