Painting on wood dates back to Ancient Egypt, with the Fayum Mummy Portraits (1st century BCE–3rd century CE) being some of the earliest examples. The Byzantine era (5th–15th century) saw the rise of religious icons painted with egg tempera on wood, a tradition continued in Gothic altarpieces across Europe.
During the Renaissance (15th–16th century), wood panels were widely used, especially in Flemish and Italian art, with masters like Jan van Eyck and Leonardo da Vinci refining oil painting techniques on wood. However, by the Baroque period (17th century), canvas became dominant, though wood was still used for smaller artworks and furniture decoration.
Today, wood remains popular in iconography, mixed media, and restoration, valued for its durability, smooth texture, and historical significance.
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