craquelure

[ krak-loor, krak-loor; French krakuh-lyr ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

, plural cra·que·lures [krak-, loorz, krak, -l, oo, rz, k, r, a, k, uh, -, lyr].

a network of fine cracks or crackles on the surface of a painting, caused chiefly by shrinkage of paint film or varnish.

craquelure

/ ˈkrækəlʊə /

a network of fine cracks on old paintings caused by the deterioration of pigment or varnish

First recorded in 1910–15; < French, equivalent to craquel(er) “to crackle, crack” (imitative) + -ure -ure

C20: from French, from craqueler to crackle, from craquer to crack, of imitative origin

April 24, 2024gallimaufry

[gal-uh-maw-free ]

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