Final answer:
Linseed oil as a painting binder became widely used in the fifteenth century, particularly in the Netherlands which historically included regions like Flanders. The Venetian trade and Northern European traders facilitated the spreading of this technique, with notable use in the Spanish Catholic altarpieces of the 1500s.
Step-by-step explanation:
Linseed oil came into general use as a painting binder in the fifteenth century, particularly in the country of the Netherlands, which is represented in historical terms by the regions including Flanders. During the Renaissance and Mannerism periods, particularly in Northern Europe, artists optimized the use of oil paints. They employed glazing techniques to create layers and added depth to their paintings. The Venetian trade networks significantly influenced the adoption of oil painting techniques locally, and by the 1460s-70s, artists like Giovanni Bellini were harnessing the technique. The Venetian trade helped introduce exotic pigments and the technique of oil painting via Northern European traders.
Linseed oil, derived from the flax plant, offered flexibility and less cracking compared to other oil mediums. In Spain, the Catholic church greatly supported the use of oil paints in large altarpieces during the 1500s. However, it was in the regions of Flanders where oil painting had a substantial uptake, aiding in the development of new forms of expression and realism in artwork.