The Easel reference article from the English Wikipedia on 24-Apr-2004
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Easel

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An easel is an upright tripod used for displaying something. It is most often used to hold up an artist's canvas while the painter is working or to hold a completed painting for exhibition.

An easel can be full-height designed for standing by itself on the floor. Easels can also be shorter, designed for use on a table. The full-height easels typically have telescopic legs that collapse for ease of transport.