Expert: Tom Riddolls M.A.C. - 8/3/2011

Question
Sir, I last spoke with Mr. Vincent about artist board and his information was very helpful, I attempted to reach him again but without success. My question is this, please let me thank you in advance for your time and effort to my question. Being artist board came on the market sometime in 1978-1979 were there times that older paintings were backed with Masonite? A friend of mine has some older paintings she says that her great, great Uncle painted sometime at the turn of the century. Upon my limited inspection I noticed some were on canvas but in the back two of them looked as if they were painted on artist board but if they are in fact backed and sometimes glued to Masonite then my first assumptions were incorrect and I need to rectify my first proposal of what they are. Again thank you for your assistance. Richard King

Answer
Although not called masonite, artists' board has been around for over a century. As I am not a painting conservator I really don't know the details on the development of this type of support. It ewas however around in the 19th century. Best of luck in tracking down the history of this painting.