Oil on copper

Oil on copper paintings were prevalent in the mid sixteenth century in Italy and Northern Europe.

[2] The Flemish masters and other artists including Jan Breughel the Elder, Claude, El Greco, Guido Reni, Guercino, Rembrandt, Carlo Saraceni, Ambrosius Bosschaert II, Copley Fielding and Vernet painted on copper.

Copper is more durable than canvas or wood panel as a support for oil painting, as it will not rot, mildew or be eaten by insects.

Later artists used the patina process, in which the copper is oxidized with the use of various acidic solutions, as part of the art work itself.

The resulting patina or verdigris includes darkening of the metal, green and blue tones, depending on the chemical solution used.