ALTARPIECE OF THE LIFE OF THE HOLY VIRGIN

POLYCHROMED DECORATIONS 

The polychrome decoration of these reliefs is still most confusing. From what may be deduced from a visual inspection, traces of earlier polychrome decorations were eliminated during the last restoration work and the entire altarpiece was repainted. The result is a coat of very poor quality polychrome decoration in which some decorative layers of paint overlap or even completely hide others. Generally speaking, the decoration was applied with very little respect for the original work. In some areas such as the hair of the Virgin, traces of gilt that could well pertain to the original polychrome decoration may be observed under a layer of greenish-grey paint.