craquelure

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

noun

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

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

craquelure

/ ˈkrækəlʊə /

noun

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of craquelure¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of craquelure¹

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