At this time of year in Maine, our snow pack has typically become less than pristine. We’re just hanging on waiting for it all to go away, but it only gets less and less appealing with the passing days. It has taken decades, but the white pigments in this painting have turned yellowish because of chemical processes that are ongoing. Perhaps the original artist’s paints were not of the highest quality or composition, or perhaps he used too much medium when applying them. The cleaning of a heavy layer of dirt and soot is making a huge difference in this painting’s appearance, but the yellowish tone of the thickly painted highlights in the freshly cleaned snow are permanent and will never be truly white again.

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