Fine cracks that appear on the surface of old paintings or pottery; a network of small fissures in aged materials.
From French craquelure (a crack), diminutive form of craquer (to crack). The French term comes from an imitative root representing the sound of cracking. Art conservators adopted this French term because it precisely describes age-related damage in paintings.
Art experts insist on 'craquelures' instead of just saying 'cracks' because these specific patterns actually help authenticate old paintings—forgers can't easily fake the natural cracking pattern of centuries-old varnish. It's a technical term that tells a story of age.
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