Unlined canvas, stretcher missing keys. Slack tension. A small 1.25 inch split to canvas at the top edge to the right of the curtain. Partially repaired (?) and surrounded by a swathe of restoration (see images). The canvas and stretcher are slighly distorted and bend away from the frame rebate at the two top corners. The slack canvas is distorted and undulating in places, most prominently at the top right corner (see image) and bottom right edge. Further small bulges from blows from face and reverse for example the top left corner, through the dress of the right hand girl and to bottom right of lute.

Stretcher bar marks on all sides and associated with cross-members, and a network of brittle age craquelure throughout, and impact cracks. Paint and ground secure, but the cracks have elevated slighly. There are also passages of drying cracks (unretouched), most prominently in the red of the curtain and in the darker passages of drapery of the father. There is a more noticeable impact crack to the hand of the little girl, where the varnish has powdered and is now white, and there further minor white cracks to the right hand side of this. Two further scuffs to the varnish to left hand edge and scattered minor spots to top left.

There are scattered small retouched losses and retouched cracks throughout, the restoration now discoloured. There has been a further campaign of retouching to the flesh tones of the mother/girls, baby, and hand of the father, and to the hair of the mother. This is opaque and is apparent in bright light (see images in torchlight). It appears that the painting has been selectively and partially cleaned in these areas leaving an uneven appearance. The same varnish has been partially removed from the paler passages of drapery too, which has caused some abrasion particularly evident in the green of the mother's skirt. It has been left on in most of the painting. It is difficult to see through the discoloured varnish layers if there is further wear in the dark areas.

There are thick surface layers of discoloured varnish and ingrained dirt, but a fairly even glossy upper varnish layer.

Not examined in UV, examined in frame.

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