Mahlstick

Date 19th century
Materials wood
Dimensions 85.5 cm x 5.0 cm
Marks
Further information GLAHA 54145.

Note A mahlstick provides a resting place for a painter’s hand when painting areas of detail. It prevents the painter from leaning on the surface of the wet paint and causing damage to work in progress. The rounded, smooth end is placed against a dry area of canvas and the painter holds the other end with his / her non-painting hand. His / her working wrist or hand could then rest on the length of the stick without touching the painting's surface. Whistler sometimes used his walking stick for the same purpose.