122 The painting „Death of St Joseph“ Previous restoration In a previous restoration, losses had been filled with a white-yellowish material; prominent in areas close to the lower edge of the painting, the two lower corners, and in the area close to the right vertical edge. The biggest ones can be found between the back of the putto displaying an hour glass and the edge of the painting in its lower right part. These fillings were not applied in a careful manner, the material spread over the surrounding original paint layer. With the uneven and rough texture the filling material did not match the surface structure of the surrounding original. In the same restoration, retouches have been applied, not precisely covering the fillings but spreading over the surrounding original paint layer as well. In time, these retouches had discoloured somewhat. They appeared like dark areas on the brighter original paint. Varnish During that recent restoration a thick and irregular varnish layer had been applied with a brush over the entire painting with the exception of the edges, which were hidden by the frame. This is a clear indication that the varnish was applied after the painting had already been placed in its current frame. It also covered most of the retouches and overpaints. More recent retouches were visibly apparent as matte areas on the top of the glossy varnish (Fig. 195). Fig. 195: Matte overpaints on the top of the varnish (reflecting light) Fig. 196: Crystallised salt along the craquelure
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