Several distracting pentimenti (original changes made by the artist that were not meant to be seen) had to be carefully suppressed using conservation paints in areas throughout Abner's face and helmet. As seen in the x-ray and IR images, Abner's helmet was originally lower and adorned with an elaborate feather plume but was eventually adjusted during the later painting stages. However, as oil paint can become more transparent over time these pentimenti began to become visible, giving rise to distracting, ghostly forms in the paint.
