The History of the Easel
The Medieval Era
The Middle Ages brought painting down off the walls and onto the artist's easels, and introduced some innovative additions to the tool, specific to the needs of the artists using them. For example, in the 12th century, easel-type writing desks, similar to what we'd now think of as podiums or tabletop easels, became essential for monks who illuminated manuscripts.
In order to light up the surface of their workspace, and to save on candles or lamp oil, these artist easels had mounted on them a small mirror that could be angled, much like today's reading lamp, to catch and reflect the sun onto the artwork in progress.8 Another innovation was the easel attached to the chair, as depicted in a 13th century illuminated manuscript in which Plato and Socrates are shown poring over what we might now call a dictionary stand. Unlike most bookstands, however, this one appears to be connected to the seat of the chair, not to the side like a modern high school classroom seat, but straddled between the legs.9 Like many artists after them, the medieval manufacturers used their resources to customize their art easels and display easels to personalized perfection.
| Beginnings | Medieval Era | Renaissance | Easel Painting | Antique Easels | Customized Easels | Conclusion |
