A wooden frame with fixed, non-expandable corners over which a painting canvas is stretched. Strainers are auxiliary supports for paintings. Strainers should not be confused with stretchers, which are expandable.

The part of a canvas that wraps around the edges of the stretcher or strainer and that is held by tacks or staples.

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Introduction This Note explains the terminology used by conservators in condition reports. It will help museum personnel to write and maintain accurate condition report records for paintings. For detailed information on examination and condition reporting, refer to CCI Notes 10/6 and 10/7, Condition Reporting — Paintings, Parts I and II.

Damage to the surface of a painting, caused by friction. Some of the surface coating, paint, or paint and ground layers are lost because of scraping or rubbing.

A surface deposit of foreign material such as dried liquid residue, foodstuff, or fly specks. Accretion is an accidental addition to the painting's surface, not foreign material intentionally included by the artist.

A general name for rigid painting supports such as millboard and academy board. These are primarily cardboard with surfaces prepared for oil painting. Also included in this category are canvas boards (i.e., cardboard with a primed canvas adhered to one side).

The framework over which the painting canvas is stretched. It usually refers to a stretcher or a strainer.

A rigid board attached to the back of the auxiliary support or frame to protect the painting. (Figure 1.)

The particular shape or cut of a stretcher or strainer bar with a top surface (adjacent to the canvas) that is planed or sanded to slope away from the back of the painting. The bevel prevents the canvas from touching the stretcher bar when ground and paint are being applied, and later prevents a stretcher mark from developing. (Figures 1 and 2.)