Do Weave Matches Imply Canvas Roll Matches?

Computational algorithms for measuring thread counts from scanned x-rays produce warp and weft thread count “maps” across entire paintings. Within the database of over 300 van Gogh paintings, we found a clique of 44 warp-weave-matched paintings. By reconstructing the smallest canvas section that could have produced this match, they must span the entire width of a commercial canvas roll (2+ meters) and more than 13 meters of length, much longer than a single roll (10 meters). Several grounds were found, further suggesting these matched paintings came from separate rolls. Investigation showed that commercial priming firms cut rolls from longer bolts.