Maulstick

A mahlstick, or maulstick, is a stick with a soft leather or padded head used by painters to support the hand holding the paintbrush. The word derives from the Dutch maalstok 'painter's stick', from malen 'to paint'.

In 16th- through 19th-century paintings of artists, including self-portraits, the maulstick is often depicted as part of the painter's equipment.

William-Adolphe Bouguereau holding painting implements

Self portrait of Caterina van Hemessen

Self-portrait by Sofonisba Anguissola

Portrait of Eva Gonzalès, by Édouard Manet

Detail of Vermeer's Art of Painting with artist using mahlstick

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