:
For the software company, see Eazel.
An
easel is an upright support used for displaying and/or fixing something resting upon it.
Etymology
The word is an old Germanic synonym for
donkey (compare similar semantics). In various languages, its equivalent is the only word for both animal and apparatus, such as
Esel in German and Afrikaans and earlier
ezel in Dutch (the easel generally in full
schildersezel, 'painter's donkey'), themselves derived from Latin
Asinus (hence
ass). However, in other languages the two words are not related, for example
Danish word is
staffeli and donkey is
æsel.
History
Easels are known to have been in use since the time of the ancient Egyptians. In the 1st century,
Pliny the Elder makes reference to a large panel placed upon an easel.
Design
There are two common designs for easels:
Tripod designs are based on three legs. Variations include crossbars to make the easel more stable and an independent mechanism to allow for the vertical adjustment of the working plane without sacrificing the stability of the three legs of the easel.
H-Frame designs are based on right angles. All posts are generally parallel to each other with the base of the easel being rectangular. The main portion of the easel consists of two vertical posts with a horizontal crossbar support, thus giving the design the general shape of an "H." Variations include additions that allow the easel's verticality to be adjusted.
Differences
Artist Easel- Typically are fully adjustable to accommodate for the different angles that artists need. Most have built-in anti-skid plates on the feet to prevent sliding. They are collapsible and overall very slim in stature to fit in small spaces around the studio.
* Paint Station- Geared toward the artist that does and needs it all. These are usually equipped with various holsters, slots and supporting platforms to accommodate for buckets, brushes and canvas styles. Most of the components can be broken down for easy cleaning and storage.
* Children's Easel- Made to withstand the punishment most children are notorious for dishing out. Typically shorter than standard easels and usually come equipped with dry erase boards and/or chalkboards attached.
* Display Easel- These are for display purposes and to add to the overall feel and appreciation of your finest work. Available in various decorative designs.
Use
It is most often used to hold up a painter's
canvas or large sketchbook while the
artist is working or to hold a completed
painting for
exhibition. The simplest form of an artist's easel, a
tripod, consists of three vertical posts joined at one end. A pivoting mechanism allows the centremost post to pivot away from the other two, forming a
tripod. The two non-pivoting posts have a horizontal cross member on which the canvas is placed. A similar model is fit to hold a blackboard, projection surface, placard etcetera. An easel can be full-height, designed for standing by itself on the floor. Shorter easels can also be designed for use on a table.
Easels are typically made from
wood,
aluminum or
steel.
There are three common usages for easels:
Studio easels are meant for use in the artist's studio with limited need for the easel to be portable. Studio easels may be simple in design or very complex including winches, multiple masts and casters. The largest easels are studio easels with some being able to support weights of over 200 lb. and panels over 7 feet in height.
Field easels are meant to be portable and for the creation of en plein air work. These easels are usually mid-sized or small, have telescopic or collapsible legs and are based on the tripod design. French box easels include a compartment in which to store art supplies conveniently along with a handle or straps so that the French box may be carried like a briefcase or a backpack.
Display easels are meant for the display of finished works. These easels tend to be very simple in design with less concern for the stability needed by a working artist. can vary in size and sturdiness depending upon the weight and size of the object to be placed on them.
References
Category:Dutch loanwords
Category:Furniture
Category:Painting materials
![Rustam Mustafayev Azerbaijan State Museum of Art (Azerbaijani: Azərbaycan Dövlət İncəsənət Muzeyi) is the biggest art museum of Azerbaijan.[1] It was founded in 1936 in Baku and in 1943 was named after Rustam Mustafayev,[1] a prominent Azeri scene-painter and theater artist. The museum consists of two buildings standing next to each other. There are over 3,000 items in 60 rooms on display in total.](http://web.archive.org./web/20110316164435im_/http://cdn.wn.com/pd/5d/af/580e322354f071581181ca2d4028_grande.jpg "Rustam Mustafayev Azerbaijan State Museum of Art (Azerbaijani: Azərbaycan Dövlət İncəsənət Muzeyi) is the biggest art museum of Azerbaijan.[1] It was founded in 1936 in Baku and in 1943 was named after Rustam Mustafayev,[1] a prominent Azeri scene-painter and theater artist. The museum consists of two buildings standing next to each other. There are over 3,000 items in 60 rooms on display in total.")
![Rustam Mustafayev Azerbaijan State Museum of Art (Azerbaijani: Azərbaycan Dövlət İncəsənət Muzeyi) is the biggest art museum of Azerbaijan.[1] It was founded in 1936 in Baku and in 1943 was named after Rustam Mustafayev,[1] a prominent Azeri scene-painter and theater artist. The museum consists of two buildings standing next to each other. There are over 3,000 items in 60 rooms on display in total.](http://web.archive.org./web/20110316164435im_/http://cdn.wn.com/pd/5d/af/580e322354f071581181ca2d4028_thumb.jpg "Rustam Mustafayev Azerbaijan State Museum of Art (Azerbaijani: Azərbaycan Dövlət İncəsənət Muzeyi) is the biggest art museum of Azerbaijan.[1] It was founded in 1936 in Baku and in 1943 was named after Rustam Mustafayev,[1] a prominent Azeri scene-painter and theater artist. The museum consists of two buildings standing next to each other. There are over 3,000 items in 60 rooms on display in total.")
