Antique French walnut wood artist's easel

This is called a tripod design easel because it stands on three legs. These legs feature elegant slightly scrolled tops. The painter’s canvas is placed on the easel and the lower shelf and upper horizontal member adjusted to fit.

This easel was crafted in France in the 19^th Century, when it became popular for artists to work ‘en plein air’ (outdoors). The easel was a useful device which the artist could easily carry and set-up when they went outside to paint. The late 19^th-Century invention of paint tubes also helped to encourage this practice of working outdoors. The ‘plein air’ approach was advocated by the Impressionists and other artists who believed in working directly from nature.