Final answer:
Backing boards themselves do not cause paint to crack on a canvas; proper preparation with Gesso provides a stable surface for oil paintings, protecting the canvas and artwork.
Step-by-step explanation:
False, backing boards themselves do not inherently cause the paint on a canvas to crack. The use of canvas stretched over wooden bars, commonly prepped with a material called Gesso, has been a stable surface for oil paintings for centuries. Gesso, a substance made from chalk, animal glue, and white pigment, was used to seal the canvas and prevent oil paint from seeping into it. Thus, the traditional process of preparing a canvas includes provisions to protect the artwork. While inappropriate backing materials may affect the canvas, it is not solely the presence of a backing board that leads to cracked paint; environmental factors, the quality of materials, and the techniques used also play significant roles.