Maulstick

The mahlstick or rest bar is a tool that was used in the classic painting by artists mainly in the production of oil paintings. It is a long rod with a wooden shaft and a fabric or leather wrapped end that can be placed on the edge or frame of a picture. On the stick then the painter was able to rest his brush guiding hand, if he wanted to paint very fine contours and it needed a very steady hand.

In paintings from the 16th to the 19th century, the mahlstick is very often represented in painting portraits, especially self-portraits, portraits of fellow artists as well as in studio scenes. In addition to the color palette, easel and brush the mahlstick is accordingly one of the most important distinguishing feature for the representation of a painter of that time.