Craquelure

A word typically used by a painting restoration specialist simply to refer to the pattern of cracks which develop on the surface of a piece of art as a natural consequence of paint drying and aging.

Craquelure in the varnish or paint are large in patterns when the work of art is younger and tends to be finer/smaller when older. Unless cleverly faked, fine cracks are then a good indication of age.

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