The book covers an extensive period of the history of European and Russian art: from the time the first works of easel painting appeared to the end of the 19th century. In this work, for the first time in domestic and foreign literature, the evolution of technological principles for creating works of painting is traced. The new approach in the study of works is based on the study of written sources and the analysis of data from the technological study of works. The work is designed for a wide range of readers interested in art, and is of particular interest to art historians, artists, museum workers, restorers, experts in paintings, antiques, collectors and students of art history and art educational institutions. Edition 4 stereotypical.