Years of use have left the painting dirty and stained, making it look less vibrant. Much of this discoloration appears to be absorbed into the paint and textile, rather than sitting loose on the surface, and may be the result of handling. Some stains are more localized and look like drips. Chemical analysis has not yet identified the staining compound, but it has ruled out wax and animal glue. There are numerous irregularly-shaped holes throughout the painting, perhaps where a thick staining material weakened the textile. Many of these holes have been previously patched from behind.
