Pentimento is another Italian word. This one as applied to paintings, is the indication of a change of composition or a repositioning of an initial under painting that was altered in the final version. It is really the appearance of that previous work, which through texture or through transparency of the upper layers, show hints of what came before. In this example, the artist began by painting trees and branches at right and then changed his mind and painted the sky over them. Now because of the thinness or increased transparency of the overpainting, the suggestion of the artist’s original idea can be seen. From a historical stand point, being able to see the artist at work is a wonderful opportunity. From an aesthetic point of view, it can detract from the visual coherence of the painting and certainly from the artist’s intended result. Careful and subtle retouching can minimize its effect and lessen any unintended distraction.

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