The use of canvas as a primary painting surface came of age in which century: 14th, 16th, or 18th?

The widespread adoption of canvas as the preferred surface for painting truly began to flourish in the 16th century. Before this period, artists predominantly worked on meticulously prepared wooden panels or directly onto walls using the fresco technique. While canvas had been used sporadically for various purposes, including banners and temporary decorations, it wasn't until the Renaissance that its advantages became fully appreciated by a growing number of painters.

The shift to canvas offered several significant benefits. Wood panels were heavy, prone to warping or cracking, and limited in size, making large-scale works difficult to transport and display. Canvas, by contrast, was lighter, more flexible, and could be easily rolled for transport, allowing artists to create much larger compositions and reach a wider audience. It was also generally more affordable and readily available than high-quality wood. Venetian painters, in particular, embraced canvas early on due to the humid climate, which made wood panels especially susceptible to damage, and their innovative use helped popularize the medium across Europe.

This transition marked a pivotal moment in art history, profoundly influencing artistic practice and the types of artworks produced. The new freedom offered by canvas encouraged bolder brushwork, richer color application, and new compositional possibilities that were less constrained by the rigid nature of wood. By the end of the 16th century, canvas had firmly established itself as the dominant support for oil painting, a position it largely maintains to this day, fundamentally shaping the visual arts for centuries to come.