An easel is a stand on which a painting is supported while the artist works on it. It is a wooden or metal frame, usually with legs, that holds the painting ground (usually canvas stretched on a wooden frame) in place, especially when the artist is painting or drawing on the surface. The word easel comes from the Dutch word "ezel," which literally means an ass or donkey. The Dutch called the easel a "donkey" because the animal, like a beast of burden, lugged the artist's canvas from one location to another. Another word for easel is tripod, stand, support, frame or mount.