craquelure

[krak-loor, krak-loor, krak^uh-lyr]

noun

plural

craquelures 

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

Example Sentences

He compared the painting with photographs of the many cracks, or craquelure, in the original.

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A gifted forger can copy a painting, but he cannot copy a craquelure.

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Like a fingerprint, every craquelure is unique.

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In the Debussy, their often haunting approach fractures the lines in the first movement ever so slightly, like the spider-web craquelure in the varnish of an old master painting; their Stravinsky exudes good-natured, unaffected, unexaggerated warmth.

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Stalks of dry grass and cracked mud looking like an old painting’s craquelure.

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