This article examines the way in which certain canvases were used as supports for Mexican paintings from the 17th to the 19th century. This work used as a primary source of information two hundred registers of paintings that have been restored in the Workshop-Seminar for Canvas Painting Restoration from the National School of Restoration, Conservation and Museography from the National Institute of Anthropology and History (STRPC-ENCRyM-INAH). These registers were based on a set of criteria for textile analysis and the results were held in a data bank. Descriptive statistics were used to interpret the data. The results of the statistical analysis guided the historical research, which used personal, material, bibliographical and documentary sources of information. This research revealed relevant data concerning the origin, the material composition and facture of the canvas and could contribute significantly to their study and preservation of the paintings.