Plátn

Plátn is a term used to describe a woven fabric surface prepared as a painting ground. Traditionally made from linen or cotton, plátn is stretched over a wooden frame and primed with a ground such as gesso to create a smooth, stable painting surface. The fabric’s weave, weight, and finish influence how paint is absorbed and laid down, as well as the visibility of brushwork.

Common plátn materials are linen, prized for durability and subtle tooth, and cotton, which is more affordable and widely used in contemporary practice. Canvases come in various weights and textures, such as smooth or textured, and may be primed or unprimed. Priming coats—typically acrylic gesso, with historically used rabbit-skin glue or lead-based grounds—seal the fabric and reduce acidity.

Plátn supports are used with oil, acrylic, and tempera paints. Oils are often applied on primed linen or cotton to control absorption and to avoid direct contact between oil and the fabric. Acrylics can be painted directly on primed or even some unprimed canvases. Proper stretching on a stretcher frame helps prevent sagging and warping; conservation may involve re-stretching or re-priming over time.

In conservation, humidity, temperature, and light exposure are controlled to minimize cracking, yellowing, or deformation. Modern practice often uses polyester or blended canvases to improve stability, though traditional linen remains highly valued for archival quality.

See also: canvas, gesso, stretcher, oil painting, acrylic painting.