53 Inch Classic A1 Single Stretcher Bar 3/4" Deep #A1-53

Classic™ 3/4" Deep Bar • 1/16" Canvas Clearance

This Stretcher Bar is the standard in the industry for Stretched Canvases and works with standard picture frames. It provides 1/16" Canvas Clearance on both sides, you can stretch either side of the Bar.

• Produces a 3/4" deep stretched canvas (Actual depth is 11/16")
• 1-5/8" wide Stretcher Bar
• Precision machined corners
• Solid Ponderosa Pine or Fir from the Pacific Northwest
• The ends are mirror images of each other, so they naturally fit together; no other parts are needed
• Corner Keys may be purchased separately to expand the frame, only if needed to increase the tension after the canvas has been stretched

Finger Jointed Wood is not meant for Stretcher Bars

Solid wood makes the most dependable Stretcher Bar, because one homogeneous wood member is going to behave similarly across the entire length of the Bar. Whereas, with finger-jointed wood is made-up of multiple pieces of wood, sometimes on the actual joint itself, presenting multiple points of failure which no one can control.

We only use Solid Wood to build our Stretcher Bars because a solid piece of wood will last indefinitely. When we speak of archival value, it's not just the paint you use and the quality of your canvas and ground, even the wood choices manufacturers add or reduce value to your final painting. The fact is, you don't want problems, and finger joints only increase that risk of the wood falling apart in the future.

The glue used to bind finger joints is a water based adhesive and when that wood is exposed to high humidity environments, particularly with exterior walls, the glue joints can give-up. As a manufacturer, Masterpiece® does its part to conserve as much wood as possible, and still provide a quality product that will out-perform any other in the marketplace.

Sustainability Fights Against Climate-Change

Sustainable forestry practices are an important tool in the fight against climate change. By using lumber from sustainably managed forests in our products, we can help to reduce the carbon footprint of our business and support the health of the planet. It's a win-win for everyone involved.

Canvas Size Needed for this Stretcher Bar

Most artists will stretch the canvas and attach the staples or tacks onto the back side of the frame. Doing so allows you to paint on the edge and hang your art without needed a picture frame. Generally speaking, you should allow 4 Inches of canvas beyond the size of your frame.

For example, if you were to stretch a 41x53 frame size, which happens to be a custom proportion, your canvas should be about 45 x 57. This allows you ample room to stretch and attach the canvas on the back. Should you ever need to remove the canvas from the frame and re-attach it, it still serves that purpose too. Should you want to attach the canvas from the edge of the stretcher frame, then you can reduce the size of your canvas about 3/4" all the way around the frame.

Masterpiece® is a family-owned business operating in California since 1965 and producing the finest Stretcher Bars in North America. We deliver the highest quality and highest performing products in the business. We are widely recognized as the nation's leader and trendsetter of professional quality fine-art canvas. We own several patents that make our products perform superior to any other on the market. Once you touch one of our products, you'll immediately recognize our impeccable quality—and more importantly, so will your clients and those who acquire your art

I am more a friend of art than a producer of painting. ♦ Paul Cézanne

Whose contributions to Post-Impressionism lay the groundwork for both Cubism and modern art as a whole, Paul Cézanne was not just a painter but a profound philosopher of his craft. His works, characterized by their repetitive, exploratory brushstrokes and pioneering approach to form and color, often moved beyond mere representation. Delving into this statement offers a rich tapestry of understanding about the complex relationship between an artist and the broader realm of art.

For many, the act of creating is not solely about the final product or the accolades it might garner. It's about the conversation, the dialogue between the artist and the universe of art. Cézanne's sentiment is one that might ring true for a multitude of artists. We may often feel more connected to the world of art than to the specific medium we engage with. It's an acknowledgment that art, in all its myriad forms, is a living, evolving entity, and we, as artists, are privileged to engage with it, learn from it, and contribute to its evolution.

By referring to himself as a friend of art, Cézanne underscores the deep respect, admiration, and humility he feels towards this vast universe. It's a poignant reminder for us that, in our path, it's not just about producing work but about nurturing a relationship with the broader world of artistic expression. It beckons us to approach our craft with an open heart, eager to both share and receive, and to remember that we are but a small part of an intricate, timeless tapestry of creativity.

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Creativity, the silent force beckoning you, finds its voice here. Harmonize your artistic process with these indelible words and meaning by Paul Cézanne, and with our unique portrayal of a self portrait to inspire an enhanced melody in your art. Go make your music on canvas!