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

Example Sentences

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

From Literature

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

From Literature

Like a fingerprint, every craquelure is unique.

From Literature

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.

From New York Times

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

From Washington Post