Introduction to Laid Paper Laid paper is a type of paper that has been used for centuries, with its origins in the Orient. It was introduced to England, Europe, and the American colonies in the mid-eighteenth century. Hand-made laid paper was produced using a wooden mould containing a finely-woven brass vellum (wire cloth), upon which the paper pulp was applied and dried, creating a smooth, uniform surface. The appearance of laid paper differs from that of wove paper, which produces a smoother surface due to the manner in which the wire mesh within the paper mould is constructed.
The Art Media Laid Paper
Introduction to Laid Paper
Laid paper is a type of paper that has been used for centuries, with its origins in the Orient. It was introduced to England, Europe, and the American colonies in the mid-eighteenth century. Hand-made laid paper was produced using a wooden mould containing a finely-woven brass vellum (wire cloth), upon which the paper pulp was applied and dried, creating a smooth, uniform surface. The appearance of laid paper differs from that of wove paper, which produces a smoother surface due to the manner in which the wire mesh within the paper mould is constructed.
History of Laid Paper
The technique of manufacturing laid paper originated using natural materials such as fabric and bamboo to create mesh within the mould. However, eighteenth-century laid and wove paper modernized this process by using woven wire. The originator of the wove papermaking technique using wire appears to have been James Whatman (1702–1759) from Kent, England. For approximately 500 years, European paper makers could only produce laid paper. In 1757, John Baskerville printed his famous edition of Virgil on a new kind of smooth paper, later referred to as wove (known in Europe as Vélin). The wove paper used in Baskerville's special edition of Virgil is now known to have been made by the elder James Whatman.
Laid Paper in Art
At ArtsDot.com, we offer a selection of handmade oil paintings reproductions and print on canvas of famous artwork created on laid paper. Here are some examples:
This painting, created by James Abbott Mcneill Whistler, is a small sketchbook study on laid paper. The dimensions of this artwork are 10 x 6 cm.
This painting, created by Carlo Urbino, is a study from the Codex Huygens Fol. 6 on laid paper. The dimensions of this artwork are 18 x 13 cm.
This painting, created by Hendrick Goltzius, is a study of a young woman's head on laid paper. The dimensions of this artwork are 24 x 25 cm.
This painting, created by Carlo Urbino, is a study from the Codex Huygens Fol. 7 on laid paper. The dimensions of this artwork are 19 x 13 cm.
This painting, created by Carlo Urbino, is a study from the Codex Huygens Fol. 3 on laid paper. The dimensions of this artwork are 19 x 13 cm.
Conclusion
Laid paper has been used for centuries as an art medium and continues to be popular today. At ArtsDot.com, we offer a selection of handmade oil paintings reproductions and print on canvas of famous artwork created on laid paper. These pieces showcase the unique texture and character of this type of paper, adding depth and interest to each piece.