Canvas is best described as which of the following?

• A. A type of wooden panel used for fresco.
• B. A glass pane used for window painting.
• C. A strong cloth used as a surface for oil painting.
• D. A paper sheet for sketching.

Answer: (C)

Canvas is best described as a strong cloth used as a surface for oil painting. This fabric, typically linen or cotton, is stretched tight over a wooden frame and primed with a protective ground (like gesso or sizing) to create a smooth, slightly toothy surface that holds oil pigments and prevents the oils from damaging the fibers. The cloth’s flexibility and lighter weight compared to wood panels made it ideal for larger works and easier transport, which is why it became the preferred support for many oil paintings.

Understanding the other options helps clarify why this is the right choice: a wooden panel is associated with fresco technique on walls or with early panel paintings, not canvas; a glass pane isn’t used as a general painting ground for oils; and a paper sheet is typical for drawing or sketches, not for finished oil paintings.