The cleaning of this painting is complicated by what was once an annual tradition of rejuvenation, a part of spring cleaning, perhaps. Paintings dulled by accumulated dust and soot from the fireplace were rubbed with linseed oil or the like to bring out their sheen once again. Years of this action took a great toll on the object, as the linseed oil seals in the dirt and becomes an almost impenetrable layer that in this case has also stained the original subtle colors in this painting beyond repair.

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