Pentimento
Pentimento[edit | edit source]
Definition[edit | edit source]
An alteration in a painting, evidenced by the presence or emergence of former images, shapes, or strokes that have been altered or painted over by the artist.
Related Terms[edit | edit source]
Pentimenti (plural)
Discussion[edit | edit source]
The word pentimento is derived from the italian word pentirsi, which means to repent or change one's mind. In art, pentimento refers to the visible evidence of an artist's earlier design below their final design. These pentimenti may reveal an element in the composition that was removed or altered; for example, the placement of a figure's head or the presence of an object that was later removed. Pentimento traditionally encompasses alterations that were a part of the artist's intent, and exclude changes or cover ups made by later artists or conservators. Likewise, pentimento does not refer to compositions underneath the top layers that are unrelated to the finished composition, even if they were created by the same artist.
Some pentimenti are becoming increasingly visible today as a result of the fading of the top layers of paint. In this case, a ghost of the original composition starts to show through the faded layers of paint. Sometimes pentimenti are visible due to textural differences in the surface of the paint. However, more often than not, pentimenti are exposed through usage of modern technology, such as X-rays, infrared reflectography, and photography. The increasing number of technological advances that allow us to see these pentimenti have revealed a greater number of paintings that have hidden compositions underneath their final layers. These "pentimenti" are interesting because they can reveal to us a change or development in the artist's style or idea.
